Firenze Frenzy

We moved from Balogna to Firenze (Florence) by train yesterday. That was unexciting, except to mention that we made it a point to get to the station early and be ready to board. When we got to the platform, I asked the conductor where our coach (coach 1) would be. He said it would be the last car, at the end of the platform. The only problem is that he pointed to the wrong end of the platform. When the train finally arrived, we were stuck racing down the platform 16 cars, getting on board just as the doors were about to close.

Our hotel is the Helvitia and Bristol, one of the top hotels in Florence. In each of the cities we have stayed thus far we have had luxurious accomodations. When I get back to the US I will post a few pictures. Suffice it to say, the rooms have been great, even though we are not getting a lot of use. Yoko and I just walked around the historic district yesterday, came back to the hotel, cleaned up and went to an 8 PM dinner at a place recommend by the hotel called Tratorria Trebbio, only a few minutes walk away. Yoko had minestrone soup and pasta pomodoro; I had bruchetta and grilled chicken. The food was delicious and relatively inexpensive. We made it back to the hotel by 11 PM.

This morning we had breakfast at the hotel and were then met by our driver/guide. This was an all day excursion out of the city of Florence and into the Tuscan countryside. The first place we stopped was the Masini terra cotta factory, where we were given a guided tour of this family run business in Inpruneta. Here they make giaint sisterns, decorated flower pots, cherubs, and other decorative items, sold all over the world. After the factory tour we went to a small town called Greve, where we could stroll around and have lunch. There were lots of little shops to see, backeries and deli's. Everywhere there is the dried hams hanging, wine and cheeze. These places do not smell as good as I remember the Italian deli's smelling when I was a kid. There are some pretty stong cheezes in these places that would just take your breath away. They are nonetheless fun to visit. The vegetable stores sell vegetables I don't recognize, but the ingregients look so fresh. It is no wonder the food tastes good.

After lunch we went to a small handbag factory, where they make prototype bags for all the big lables. We watched them cut and sew bags for Guchi and observed them measring custs of alligator hide. I remarked that we were from Florida and would be happy to become a supplier. She then showed us how they tag the skins to avoid purchasing poached hides. (Anyway, could make a nice side business and now we have an Italian connection!) After the tour we went to the showroom, where I insisted Yoko purchase a bag -- our ssecond souvenier of the trip. She found something in alligator!

The last stop of the day was the best. We went to a private castle at the top of a hill, where we were greeted by the German daughter-in-law of the owners. This place was called Castello Della Paneretta. The castle has been in existance since the 13th century and has a long and intersting history. It is surrounded by 11 acres of vineyard and 120 acres of woodland. They produce a true Chianti -- meaningthe grapes are only Sangiovese grapes or up to 10% Canaiolo, depending on the wine being produced. Apparently, there are many chanti's that mis international grapes (Merlot, Cabernet, etc.) and therefore are not true Chiantis. I asked about the Chanti in the straw-wrapped bottle. I only got a scoff. Apparently the most valuable part of that wine is the bottle.

Anyway, our guide (Patricia Eckert) is "partnered" with the son of Fabio Albesetti, the owner. She was telling us her story, which was quite interesting. She was working for a bank and was married to her first hiusband, who was a wine maker (which is a profession you study for, which I did not know.) She got divorced and met her current partner when in Italy doing something related to wine making. Anyway she moved to the family home about 6 months ago. Nice life, to say the least.

After giving us a tour of the winery, we went to a room where they had prepared lunch meats and cheeze. There were several bottle of wine and a desert wine to sample. We probably stayed over an hour sampling wine and chatting. Of course, we ended up buying a case to be shipped home. It was well worth the price and will be someplace we can continue to buy direct in the future.

After the wine tasting we drove to the city of Siena, where we went to see the plazza where they have the running of the horses each year. I forget the name ...da Plamo, or something. We had seen a discovery channel special about this not long ago. It is really something to see. Siena is on top of the mountain and quite difficult to get to, even by car. The streets are very very narrow and regular cars are not allowed in the historic district. Anyway, we were able to go through the city by car. I think if I was planning a future truip I would want to spend some time in Siena.

We did not get back to the hotel until 7 PM. We took a two hour nap and awoke to get something to eat. We decided on room service instead of going out. Tomorrow we are going on a guided tour of Florence, they day after we are free to tour the city ourselves. Today marks our first week in Italy. My, time does fly!