Today was amazing. After a bit of an early start, the bus loaded with our bags as we said good-bye to Forte de Marmi and headed towards Rome, we had no idea just how amazing the day would become.
After a couple of hours on the bus we arrived at San Gimignano - a beautiful old towered city called the Manhattan of Italy. Manhattan should be humbled. This is a gorgeous hillside town with wonderful shops and cafés, churches we didn't explore, fabulous architecture and so many astonishing views that my iPhone camera almost couldn't keep up. Wow is the only word that comes to mind.
And I haven't even told you about the GELATO! Our morning surprise was a coupon for gelato at a shop that won a competition in 2024 for the world's best gelato. Obviously they are maintaining their standards. I had a combination of chocolate and raspberry with rosemary. Yummy to the max. I opted for a cup rather than a cone, so that I wouldn't lose a drop of this delight.
The rest of the time was spent wandering from view to view and eventually enjoying a capuccino at a small café before the group had to move on.
Next stop was lunch and wine-tasting. Those simple words do not begin to describe an incredible feast with a wine to match each course: antipasto with white wine, the best lasagna I've ever tasted and it melted in the mouth with a lovely red wine, and beef cooked in red wine and pepper, served with delicous potatoes and fresh baby peas, served with yet another superb red wine. By that time I was pretty much maxed out on alcohol but didn't stumble once on the way out. I almost forgot abuot the biscotti served with a dessert wine for dunking the biscotti. Climbing onto the bus held more of a challenge than it had when we first departed the hotel.
This incredible feast was followed by a long bus drive, the time mostly passed by napping. When one did look out the window it was like being in a living image of stereotypical Tuscany. Except, it was the real thing.
Eventually we got to the Hotel Adoro in Rome and were served a light supper of Panzanella, spelt salad with feta and vegetables, and the cloud-light cheesecake with raspberry coulis. If I never had another decent meal I'd still be happy. There was a bit of a mixup upon arrival at the hotel so our light dinner was accompanied by some complimentary Prosecco. Tough job but we did our best.
Now settled in fabulous rooms, we have called it a day. I'm too tired to add photos so please check back later when I've added some to this post.
Tomorrow it's off to the Vatican with all its splendours.
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