We left Siena this morning on our hopeful drive through Chianti country. I say hopeful because we had no idea where we were going, just some posts on the internet and recommendations from some guide books. We managed a great drive, with a few stops in some towns along the way.
We had a great lunch in Panzano…even though we had no idea where the actual town centre was. We walked around a few more towns, but we were headed for Cortona.
Cortona has been fabulous right from the start. We had a very welcome greeting from our front receptionist who was so nice, and loved me once I complimented her on her hair. I have realized that vanity is next to godliness in Italy.
As soon as we get to our room, we are quickly called to move our car. …urgently…. We get downstairs and take a verbal beating in Italian from a woman swearing and cursing us because we have parked in front of a street while unloading our backpacks. Honestly….you can barely tell there is a street….we apologize and I hope that she thinks we are just some Americans….(a term we heard a lot).
Cortona is a great little town. We wander around and see the sights and go to a fabulous restaurant that Julia…my new BFF…..from our hotel reception…recommends. It is a great supper and after a bit of gelato, we are back to the hotel.
We have a conversation with Julia when we get back and tell her how good dinner was, and she is so happy that we are happy, so she offers us some Sherry, which we graciously accept (as not to offend). Also she says that my name Carla is Italian….who knew….the country I wanted to visit the most…the food I love most….and what I suspected all along….I WAS ONCE ITALIAN!
We have a great room again, and I will be sad to leave Cortona…more awaits us…..
PS….can I just say that the picture on the heading is what Rick took of Manorola on the Cinque Terre…just beautiful.
Our cute little car that we love. 
Lunch at the first town we stopped in. 
A view from our scenic Tuscan countryside drive. 
More views. 
Every small hill top town has a wall surrounding it and this is the view from one. 
Us….and the view…. 
YAY! I was so excited to get here. 
One of the many…many…many steep stairs we had to contend with here. 
A cute little street. 
Another cute little street at the edge of town. 
The view from the all at the edge of town. 
Us. 
We tried wild boar in Siena and I guess this is what they can look like. 
I loved this little alley leading up to this cute house. 
A castle in the middle of nowhere. 
More stairs. 
Us in front of a church. 
View from our hotel window. 
At a wine bar before dinner. 
Rick at the wine bar, the owner gave us 2 little glasses of merlot on top of our 2 glasses. 
At the restaurant for dinner. 
Me and my newest BFF….Italian Julia.
Clearly Carla 
The picture above looks like something from a magazine…well done Rick…
Didn’t you know all Julia’s are fabulous…….
And…high maintenance…already I was falling into her trap of neediness….I guess I have great practice….Love you!