All roads lead to Rome.

Today saw the end of our week in beautiful Tuscany and the start of our week in Rome - my favourite city. Last night we had a drink with our fellow La Maesta guests to say goodbye and this morning were farewelled by Rosalinda, Stefano, Lilla and Virginia. A beautiful family who have become special friends. Stefano drove us to the train station and we were on our way.

Shannon and Alan

Shannon and Billy the cat

Me with the lovely Lilla

We've become quite familiar with travelling on trains and the quirks that are involved. Purchasing tickets...validating tickets...finding the right platform...train...coach...seat. We had purchased first class tickets for today's trip - it was a 2 and a half hour journey and usually first class provides more comfortable seats and air conditioning. We were annoyed to find there was no first class coach!

The trip was entertaining however. We had a couple sitting across the aisle from us. The gentleman had on a rather large pair of headphones and was clearly enjoying his music, because he decided the rest of us on the coach needed to hear it too. He was singing along so passionately we couldn't help but laugh. We couldn't sing along with him because he wasn't singing in English or Italian, but Chinese! Every now and then he'd pass a headphone to his wife who would then start to clap and dance along to the music. It was pretty funny and made a boring train trip go a little bit quicker.

We arrived in Roma Termini station - a shock to the system after a quiet week away from the crowds. We were swept up in the bustle of people coming and going, like ants on a mission to find the nest. We blew out of the station and began the journey to find our accommodation. Like most city's in Europe, Rome's Metro is user friendly, so we were able to buy tickets and get on the underground train quite easily. We had decided this time in Rome to book an apartment, to get a feel for what it's like to live in the hustle and bustle of the big city. We are literally around the corner from the Trevi Fountain (which is covered in scaffolding at the moment while under restoration) and are surrounded by restaurants and souvenir shops selling everything under the sun. The apartment is so quirky. It's a tiny little place on the fourth floor of an old building. The lift is that small that only two people can fit in it at a time. Or, as we discovered, one person and two suitcases! Photos to come of the strange angles on the roof and poky little bathroom! We had a relaxing afternoon reading and a little planning. We ventured out to the local supermarket to get breakfast supplies and some snacks and decided to do some washing.

First walk through Rome this afternoon.

Even though the apartment owner provided a step by step guide in a booklet with pictures on how to use the washer/dryer, we're still not sure how our clothes are going to come out in the end. They have literally been in the machine now for 4 hours...yes you read correctly! First we got it going but then the water wasn't flowing. Then the wash cycle took forever...we thought we had it on the dry cycle...but...well it's still cranking away. At this rate it might be done before we go to bed...watch this space!

We decided we needed a break from restaurants and were both craving a burger...so Burger King it was! We then enjoyed a gelati and a beautiful sunset.

Tomorrow - The Colosseum - third time's a charm.

Wind, Wine & Walking

Final days, there have been a few but today was our last day touring Tuscany. Once again we have been spoilt by LaMaesta and the hospitality. However this time it was also made special by Marg, Alan and the artists.

Many memories will be taken from this part of our trip and we feel privileged to have been able to share this short time with Rosalinda, Stefano, Lilla and Virginia.

Today was a day of new places and we were in the front of the pope mobile with the Canadians in the back and Stefano at the wheel. The Artists were in the van with Rosalinda.  Our first stop was on route to Montalcino where we needed to wait for the wagon to catch up after a fuel stop.

Pope Mobile

Stefano was able to show us the many types of outdoor cooking appliances from the car window whilst we had our short wait.

Italian BBQ Centre?

Our first real stop was walking the top of the walls at Montalcino. It was a spectacular view but we couldn't believe the wind that was blowing, if it was much stronger I think they would have closed it to us tourists!

Montalcino

A little windy.

Montalcino

Next stop was out of town and to Abbey of Sant'Antimo where we were provided a short (about 15 minute) chanting and singing session.

Returning back to Montalcino we stopped off for some lunch and had a tasting of the Brunello di Montalcino red wine. This was the most lovely wine we both have ever tasted.

Time for new ones?

Katie, Alan and Jenny

Next stop was the hilltop town of San Quirico D'orcia, some time was made for some Gelato, but as it was mid afternoon most shops were unfortunately closed.

We love interpretive signs.

This evening was spent at LaMaesta where we have made our own dinner from some fresh frommagio, pasta and prociutto and tomato sauce.

Our final Tuscan sunset for 2014.

Tomorrow - All rails lead to Rome

Happy Anniversry Baby - Cortona and Arezzo

Cortona, made famous by Under The Tuscan Sun and many other things of course, was our first destination today. As in the past we were transported in the black pope mobile, however this time we were with the Canadians Kerry and Kathy.

A 'La Maesta' at the back of our accommodation titled La Maesta

Starting at the top along side the Church of Santa Margherita, we followed a different route down this time, rather than taking the pilgrimage route we went through the steep streets of the town until we reached Piazza Garibaldi and Via Nazionale. This street Via Nazionale is also the only flat street in the town all others are on an incline of up to 40 degrees. 

Photos never show how steep a path is.

This rock is fitted in the corner to stop men urinating, if they do it will run onto there shoes.

This lady was having a conversation with her neighbour, by shouting at her one floor below.

We wandered the streets and made a few souvenir purchases for the kitchen at home.

We decided to have lunch at a place that had lovely views. Walking in we spoke to the waiter and he advised the kitchen opens in 20 minutes but we could have a drink and wait. That sounded good to us, so we took a table along the rail overlooking the Tuscan countryside.

At 12:20 he gave us the menus and as we placed our order we advised we would need to be out of the place by 1pm as our bus was coming then. He said no problem the kitchen will cook fast. To make things easy we went non Italian and both chose the hamburger.

It was around 12:50 and we started to get worried as the meals had not arrived, after gesturing to the waiter he indicated it was coming. 

Waiting

Waiting...

Well by 1pm time was up our bus from LaMaesta had arrived, the Canadian couple were waiting and we didn't have lunch on the table! At this point we decided we weren't going to be walked over and went to the bar.  We advised the waiter we would be leaving and as the meals had not arrived as promised we would like to pay for the drinks. Then with a whir and a ding the "dumb waiter" behind him opened and the hamburgers appeared. Standing our ground and knowing people were waiting on us in the piazza, we refused the hamburgers (which looked lovely) and asked for the bill of the drinks.  The waiter jumped on the phone and we could tell he was giving the kitchen a blast. He returned the handset to the telephone and could not apologise enough to us, he even offered them as takeaway.

In the end we asked to just pay for the drinks, he said no need to pay as the restaurant had made a mistake and the drinks were free, no need to pay. We then said thank-you and goodbye and within moments were in Rosalinda's van being whisked to the house where the Under the Tuscan Sun story as based on. 

The afternoon was spent in the town of Arezzo, taking in the sights.

Piazza Grande

Piazza Grande

Parco della Fortezza Medicea

View from Parco della Fortezza Medicea

 

Arezzo Flag

Tomorrow - Montalcino, final day in Tuscany.

The unexpected is often the best

After a busy morning being booking officer to the Uffizi Gallery for the Australian art group staying at LaMaesta, it was time for us to hop into the Pope Mobile and head onward to Siena.

The artists were in the van with Rosalinda at the wheel and we were in the back of the family car with Stefano driving and the Canadian's Kerry and Kathy in the front. It was about 40 minutes into the trip of about one hour that Katie had a case of car sickness.  Unfortunately we weren't able to stop in time so the Canadians jumped in with the Artists and Rosalinda, while Stefano turned us around and we returned to LaMaesta.

It was the next unexpected event that we will place as a highlight of this trip.

After freshening up we went down the hill and found Stefano cleaning out the back of the car, offering assistance, which he wouldn't take we then played with the cats and tried to make conversation with Virginia.  Rosalinda's mother Lila then appeared and with many hand movements and "non capisco" (I do not understand) we came to the realisation she was offering us a sandwich of cheese and salad.

We continued to sit around until we were called into the confines of Lila's domain, the kitchen! To our surprise there was no cheese and salad sandwich, but the kitchen table set with plates, bowls, knives and forks. We had been invited to lunch with the family, Lila, Rosalinda, Stefano and Virginia.

Lila was making a basic risotto, boiling arborio rice in water and olive oil, which we then placed on top as much parmigiano reggiano cheese as was needed, for flavouring. Next was some of the lovely sliced beef from last nights dinner with a fresh salad direct from the garden and finally cheese and bread; not just one cheese there were about five massive blocks we were to carve into and enjoy.

Lunch was simple, homely, friendly, relaxed, delicious, fresh and memorable. There was laughter, and conversations in both Italian and English as well as Ital-glish.

From our window

In the afternoon we spent some time in the pool. Why is the pool always so cold when you first get in??

270 degree view from our balcony

Tomorrow - More of the unknown.