This area is famous for its beauty and its wine (mostly white due to the hearty grapes, red doesn't like the sea breezes). The grapes are grown all over these steep hills, I'd estimate they're between 60 to 80 degree inclines. Land slides can be bad so the small houses among the vineyards are only lived in a night at a time. You wonder how they go about harvesting... These days they have a small monorail system which can hold one person and their tools.
From the bus we walked through one of the towns and on to some of the tracks among the vineyards. These whole area though has breathtaking views of the multi-coloured houses and little steps and paths.
From there we took a train to another of the small towns. Our local guide was OK but I think our previous two raised my expectations in regard to the quality of information that can be provided about a region.
An interesting church we saw was the church of death and prayer (if I recall correctly). This was a cool church. It was being renovated but the cool thing was that there were skulls and bones in the decorations of the church, including the crest made of the skull and cross bones. Up on the wall were full skeletons in a laid back position. I was an odd mix of the grim and the hopeful. There was one with a pirate hat and in the woodwork at the door there were even more skulls, one of them smiling.
After that, I did a bit of souvenir shopping and wandered the little shops among the winding alleys. The cool thing was that I found a grocery store with some Dove products and lip balm - the sun and heat had not been kind... though on the positive side I am getting my tan back. :-)
It was a nice sleepy village town and I could have wandered around for ages. Unfortunately, since time was running out, I grabbed a sandwich on the go and couldn't help getting an ice cream cone too.
We met up and scurried back to the other town and the train station. I was last in the group but as the three in front walked, I noticed they passed the train station entrance. But the group couldn't be found. I convinced them to stop but after checking the first platform still didn't know where they were. After deciding to stick together we were rescued by someone else... Turns out they were behind the train on the last platform thus I couldn't see them. Only a small drama really.
Anyway, back to the bus and time for a snooze. Zzzz
The next thing you know, we're checking in at the hotel in Florence, the new Hilton. Very nice.
After a brief check-in, we headed to the magical town of San Gimignano (pronounced San-jimmy-are-know). This was by far the most peaceful town I've visited so far. They call this Tuscan hill-top town, "The Medieval Manhattan of Italy" because it has very tall towers, skyscrapers if you will. Not only were the views quite pleasant but the town was quite relaxed. They had winding alleys and little shops. My most favourite experience was when I got to the top and found a nice courtyard with a Harpist (if that's what they're called) and sitting on the wall listening to that, surrounded by garden was just brilliant.
Our tour director then shouted us some ice cream. I love the ice cream here. I like getting a waffle cone with three scoops... chocolate chip, tiramisu and vanilla with chocolate pieces.
In regard to the production of Chianti Wine, on the way out of the town we were told the story of the duke who, in an attempt to avoid dishonor of having someone else dance with his new bride before him, fled the city to a run-down castle in the middle of the night. So that he could raise money to renovate the castle he decided to try to blend the right grapes to make the best wine... After 13 years he had come up with Chianti (he was a little bit of a perfectionist). Due to its popularity he was then able to sell the wine and renovate his castle.
In addition, we heard about the dilemma that once perplexed a particular monastery. The monks were concerned because they did their calculations and they figured they would run out of wine, it was a particular wine) that they used for communion. This was a big issue. They decided to pray about it. While they were praying, even though they locked up their animals, a donkey managed to get loose and go into their vineyard and eat and destroy even more of their precious vineyard. They were even more upset to find this... They wondered why god had left them. As it turned out though donkey did them a service, it pruned the vine thus promoting growth. They were saved. The method of pruning was passed on and soon spread among the monasteries.
When we approached Florence and its terracotta roof tiles, I was reminded of Tuggeranong (my home district) were there is a similar requirement for all houses in the district.
That night we had dinner in Hotel, I believe it was pasta then turkey with potatoes and some form of turnover dessert. It was the new Hilton in Florence. The room was very modern with an extremely large shower head and a phone in the toilet, how convenient! :-/ The night was concluded with a nice drink with the others... A pleasant evening indeed.
Anyway... That was that.
you stayed at the hilton no wayyyy
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