It's been 82 days since I was last on a plane (a record that I never want to get to again nor go over!!) so I'm glad the day has finally arrived that I'm flying away. After a full day at work (Friday, 28 June 2013) I head to the airport much earlier than needed, I've forgotten how long it takes to check-in and pass through immigration.....then I remember this is Singapore so it takes no time at all!! The longest and most painful part was lining up at duty free.
I'm flying BA to London, where I have 1.5 hours, then onto Roma. Still in denial that Qantas doesn't fly to London from Singapore anymore. Not the biggest fan of BA but hey ho - the things you (ok me) do to keep ones Qantas gold card.
After a fairly smooth flight where I managed to sleep a large chunk of it we land into London early (5am local time) where it's a chilly 16 degrees. Thank goodness I'm not staying here!! I have time for a shower and some breakfast before boarding the plane to Roma. Getting very excited now and trying to remember all of my Italian.
Vino si, caffe si si - perfecto what else does one need to know?!!
I arrived into Roma at 10.30am, and have a good hour until Mum, Dad, Michael and Lyn Thomas arrive. Finally they arrive at baggage as I’m about to fall asleep. We head over to where all the car hire places are and I immediately nearly pass out as there are SOOOO many people, with more people arriving and no-one leaving. After a 4 hour wait we finally get a rental car…….we are now off on holiday! Tuscany here we come
Bridget was also flying in today (from London), however she made the right choice by flying into Pisa which is so much closer than Roma. So after we finally got to the Villa we dropped our bags and headed out to Poggibonsi (somewhere I NEVER wanted to return too) to collect Bridget. Unfortunately it wasn’t as easy as it sounds….however in the end we found her and ended back to the villa in desperate need for food and more importantly vino! Bridget had been in charge of picking food for dinner in Florence and once we were back at the Villa the men went driving again to locate desert and vino. Great we are set, well for this evening anyway!!! After a well-deserved drink for the amazingly patient driver (Michael) time to eat!!!
After a fairly slow start on Sunday (June 30) we manage to drag ourselves up the hill to the “local” café / bar / restaurant for a much needed coffee.
At some stage the ladies and Michael (the driver) head off in search of a supermarket in Poggibonsi. Honestly all roads lead to this bloody place and I’m sick of it already!!!! (Bridget and I had been through, around, past this place countless times where we were traveling around a few years ago hence the dislike). After following the signs we find one and it’s closed. Time for me to start speaking Italian with a big mix of English. Eventually we locate one – woo hoo! Even better that it’s a decent size supermarket with a great selection. Boot packed we are off to the villa.
We decide to head up the hill for dinner – countless bottles of wine later, ooh and a bit of food, we head off back the road giggling away with one small touch. It’s super dark!!! Thankfully the road is basically empty but then comes a very big truck. Eeks alive.
Monday after breakfast we all head into Castellina di Canti, which is the closest town/village about 7 kms up a very windy road (the same road 5 of us have driver in on from Roma). Quaint little place with shops not just for the tourists.
In the afternoon Michael, Bridget and I head off to Monteriggioni, a medieval walled town, about an hour’s drive from our Villa. Great to be seeing more of the countryside – always so much to look at. It’s a very small town but nice just to potter around. Did a bit of wine tasting and of course the compulsory gelato was had!
Everyone is pretty had it from last night so it’s a meal in this evening – much better than last night and a lot less wine!
Tuesday (2 July) is the day of the famous horse race in Siena (IL Palio) which happens twice a year. It’s something that I said I would definitely return to Siena for so I’m stoked that we are in Tuscany when it’s on. So of course today we are off to Siena. Bridget and I take the train and the others drive. We had arranged to meet at the Duomo, finally Mum and Lyn arrive. Where are the men?? Due to IL Palio traffic there are no car parks so they unfortunately head back to the Villa.
We have a couple of hours wondering around the streets of Siena (including doing a lap of the campo where the horse race will be on later, and a delicious lunch we start to walk to the train station. Immediately we are surrounded by the different contrade (town districts) parading around in their costumes. It’s an amazing sight and sound. We had made a deal with the men that we would be back to the villa in time for the race – but right now I’m wishing we could stay.
We continue to walk, often in between the flags and banners, to the train station. I had forgotten how far the train station was from the town and with it being hot it was tough going!!!!
Michael collects us at the train station in Poggibonsi after what seemed like ages – this place is not easy to get around with all it’s one way streets and no real sense of direction. Anyway he is here now thank goodness.
Back to the villa for drinks and the horse race. Great to see it live on TV and after seeing the crowds (so many of them in the direct hot hot sun) I’m glad I’m sitting here with my vino and food in comfort!!!!
Wednesday and Thursday we spent some time relaxing at the villa with a trip to San Gimignano thrown in for an afternoon. I loved being back there but did remember how much treasured the place more once all of the tourists left for the day, unfortunately today we were the tourists who were there just for a few hours.
Michael, Dad and I had a trip to Castellina di Canti for Dad to visit the Doctor as his ear was playing up so it’s a couple of very quiet days for him. Not the best end to his European holiday.
Thursday night the ladies and Michael headed down to the road to a winery / balsamic vinegar place / restaurant for a meal. After a tour of the winery and being shown how the balsamic vinegar is made it’s time to eat. Dinner was good – but nothing to write home about!
Friday the ladies and our driver J head into Florence. We have about 2 hours together before I head back to Roma (by train) for my flight to London then onto Singapore.
What a great week it’s been! Loved being in a Villa and can’t wait to return to Tuscany / Italia.
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