Dinner in Radda, icecream in San Gimignano, Verraza
I am not really keeping a chronological order when telling you of our Italian adventures but I am sure no one will mind. We are at the moment still in Ca’Penelope, but will be leaving tomorrow. The weather is still not really fantastic but at least today has been a little drier then the last two days, so we actually got to see something outside rather then inside. But because of the weather I do have the change to write a little bit about our adventures sofar and bore you with more pictures of fabulous food and beautiful surroundings.
As you know we traveled from Alba to the coast where we visited the Cinque Terre and stayed in a coastal town called Levanto. I have to say that we all thought that Levanto was rather disappointing, but it was conveniently located so we could visit the places we wanted to go to easily. And since we were so close to the Cinque Terre, that was high on our list of places to go to… However; maybe because we had heard so much about it, or maybe it is just far too crowded with tourists…we found the Cinque Terre disappointing. Sure the surrounding area is beautiful and when you hike along the coastal path, some of the views are indeed breathtaking (see photo above on the right), but the groups of tourists (busloads full) are just far, far too many. And we are not even visiting in the high season, so I can only imagine the drama it will be in July or August! And I guess not all things are for all people. It became quickly evident that our preference lies in the smaller towns and the more personal approach of little places.
Famous Macceleria in Greve in Chianti
We stayed for a week in Tuscany itself in a tiny little village called Macie, which is close to Cavriglia (also not big) and very well located between Florence, Siena and the Chianti route. Our bed & breakfast was called Amoliv and unfortunately this did not live up to our expectations. It started with receiving a text message while we were already travelling that the appartment we booked for a week was not available, but she had a “beautiful appartment for us as an alternative. But then when we arrived the woman in charge had – by mistake – given that to someone else already, so we were rushed into our car to basically chase the other people out of ‘our’ house… I guess it was a combination of things with which I will not bore you, but if she had only handled it differently we would have felt completely different too. The house was big but just barely finished with piping still coming out of the walls. I mean; don’t get me wrong; we had a great week, but that was not in any way due to our hostess!
Tuscany itself was fabulous and the whole area is gorgeous. I had heard so much about it that I was afraid it would be a let-down but it wasn’t at all. The only thing maybe that we did not like as much as we had expected was Florence itself. Sure it is a beautiful city, but again; very very busy and loads of tourists. To be fair; it was pouring rain on the day we visited Florence and that certainly did not help our opinion of the city, but we had expected a little bit more then what we got. (Although the market was great in Florence!!)
San Gimignano is also very touristis but we loved that place and the medieval centre of town. Ah well so much has happened that I cannot possible tell you all…. I will write a little more about Tuscany in my next post about Siena and Pienza… 
But first a few shots of the market in Florence.
Market in Florence
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m still sooo jealous of your vacation. It looks like you had a beautiful time.
I love the pictures. They are beautiful. I could see you have fun and enjoyed yourself. I love your picture of the coast.
I’m soooo jealous, jealous, jealous! I just love Italie!
The pictures are beautiful, again.
Last year when we where in Italie, I wanted to go to Siena to see the cityhall. Unfortenaly we couldn’t find it, but we drove through Siena and it’s so beautiful there, the houses, the landscape!
So I can’t wait to hear your story.
Am loving these posts…keep them coming, I am devouring them!
I have good friends who live in Florence and it’s been far too long since I visited. I hope to go back later this year, you’ve reminded me how lovely it is.
Beautiful photos…I can feel the ‘culture’ through the photos.
On my to do list…GO TO ITALY.
Carmen
I am really enjoying your Italian pictures Simone! I’m glad you enjoyed Tuscany and I have to agree about visiting the smaller towns-they do provide a more personal touch!
Sono molto dispiaciuta per i contrattempi che hai incontrato nel soggiorno, ma felice che la toscana ti piaccia.
ciao a presto
oooh! i love this! especially the peak inside the butchery!
Those are stunning & vibrant pictures of the produce in the markets & in the butcherie!
It looks like you had fun! Thanks for sharing this with us!
Oh Simone, too bad about the apartment. we stayed in Chianti in an awesome hotel with such a view. But, I didn’t get to be there a week, only three days and Tuscany lived up to every expectation also. Can’t wait to hear more. This was my husband’s favorite place. I loved Florence, but agree that the country beats it any day.
Hi Simone! Well the NEXT time you go to Tuscany, I have the PERFECT place for you to stay. It is a beautiful agrotourismo called Torraccia di Chiusi and it is several miles outside of San Gimignano in the countryside – the people who run it, including the fabulous chef, Bruno are all wonderful, friendly and accomodating. Where did you have gelato in San G? There is an amazing place called DiPiazza’s right by the big church, and the gelato is fantastic, you have me dreaming about it right now!!! We had the same impression on Florence when we visited, but we loved San G and Siena! The market in Florence looks beautiful.
I am so glad you got to that old town market in Firenze!! Isn’t it deadly – and the people are so friendly – did you try the local and special meat – and air cured one… so yummmy – and the garlic? I bought a big bag of porcini – and so many more food items. YUMMMMMMM
So jealous! It looks amazing. Definitely on my travel wish list.