Days 1 and 2 in Chianti, Montefioralle and San Gimignano

We entered the breakfast room at Casale le Masse to a returning hero’s welcome. Big hugs from Stefania and a warm smile from her assistant, who makes the breakfast eggs and special coffees. These two ladies put on an amazing spread to start the day.

Then we were off on a little trek up the hill to the tiny village of Montefioralle. It is a really beautiful walk up there through vineyards and above the houses of Greve.

The first look is very inviting:

Tiny circular lanes lead you deep into the village. We were there pretty early, so not too many other people around at all.

This fellow was working in his tiny gallery and he kindly allowed me to take his photo. It is definitely my favourite photo of the day.

Our walk back to our little apartmento is just a full on Tuscan experience. Check out this little villa across the valley from our place:

Back home Don sat by the window and just enjoyed being back where we love to be.

This the main piazza in Greve – with a statue of some famous guy.

Then it was off to our favourite restaurant in the world, Il Ristoro di Lamole. I think we have been here five or six times now. We found it totally by accident on our first trip to Tuscany in 2009 and have been in love ever since.

Apparently all these amazing sculptures have been created by Boris, the waiter.

The complimentary limoncello is a perfect end to the perfect meal. I told Fillipo that after experiencing it there for the first time, I have been making my own and it is almost as good. To which he replied, “I don’t think so, my Mamma makes this one!”. Well, I can’t compete with that, can I!?! Or the ripe Italian lemons. But it’s close . . .

Here is the fruit we bought for breakfast in our apartment tomorrow.

Because our wifi was out for a couple of days due to a storm, you are getting a two-fer in this blog. Saturday morning we headed out for San Gimignano.

With a stop for cappuccino – as you do.

Back to Greve in time for dinner and a nightcap.

On our walk home down the country lanes, we saw a gaggle of wild boars. They were foraging in the vineyard and took off as soon as they heard us coming. That was exciting!!