Boy man, wash uffize drive me to Firenze!
Last time we were in Florence was the hottest June in recorded history (for Florentines that’s a very long time). Needless to say we didn’t enjoy it the first time so (after some encouragement from Florence fans) we decided to give it another go…
Since we did much of the air-conditioned sightseeing on our previous visit (duomo, Ufizi, etc) we decided to take it easy and give ourselves a break from itineraries, and relax a little by playing backgammon, enjoying the food and wine, and taking in the Tuscan atmosphere.
My top 5 favorite Florence memories:
5) Hitting the local bars for apertivo (Italy’s version of happy hour but w/ free food!) and sipping on Campari or Spumante... for dessert: chocolate and hazelnut gelato!!!
4) Hilltop picnic of cheese and wine at the mountaintop San Miniato Almonte with a stunning view of Florence and surrounding Tuscan hills
3) The affordable and AMAZING Mercato Centrale! Specifically, scarfing down the best panini of prosciutto, pecorino, sun dried tomatoes, and hot chili tapenade on crunchy ciabatta roll…and sipping deliciously strong espresso right at the bar!
2) Playing backgammon on the daisy-dominated grass at the hilltop Fort di Belvedere, with a stunning view of an old castle.
1) Castello di Verrazzano in Chianti – Including: a tour of the mountain-top castle/villa & winery, wine tasting, and a mutli-course meal of…
--antipasti of homemade salamis, prosciutto, sopersetta; bread & house-pressed olive oil
--pasta e fagioli
--pasta pomodoro
--wild boar ribs and sausages w/ a side of Tuscan white beans
--slightly soft pecorino cheese w/ this pretty amazing pink pepper jam
--nugget of Parmigiano-Reggiano w/ homemade/aged balsamic (which was so good I wanted to drink it out of a bottle but sorry kids, not bringing this balsamic home -- it retails at a whopping 48 Euros)
--scrumptious almond biscotti with Vin Santo (dessert wine);followed by café & grappa
Each course was thoughtfully paired with a different wine – from Chianti Classico to Super Tuscan (and everything in between)… all the grapes, olives, and wild boars were grown onsite (for over a millennium)… and everything was pressed, aged, bottled, or slaughtered right there at the castle as well.
Big thanks to Josh and Ellie for recommending Verrazzano… best of luck with the upcoming wedding – it will no doubt be fantastic!
