Volterra & Chianti🍷

Heading south into central Tuscany we arrived in Volterra - a beautiful walled city, famous for its Etruscan origins - built around the 4th century BC. Based ourselves at a small campsite about 500m outside the city walls. Temperatures were still increasing, so this was not only a problem for Rubes, but also for us - and no water in the rivers to cool off. Seems this is unseasonably hot weather, not what is expected, and even the Italians are struggling - so what chance have we got 🤣 Anyway, as it started to cool down late afternoon we headed into the city to explore.

Dave taking a picture of me taking a picture looking out from Volterra 🤣

Arriving through one of the fortified city gates

Elder locals congregate outside the municipal building for early evening socialising 👍

Example of arched walkways prevalent throughout Volterra

Piazza

Roman walls and gateway

Following morning set off early to explore more of the Etruscan and Roman remains surrounding the city, including what still remained of the double Extruscan and Roman city walls - seems no one was taking any chances when it came to self defence here 😃

Remains of old Etruscan gateway

Remains of old Roman coliseum 

Inside one-off the ancient circular chamber tombs

Heading down into an ancient chamber tomb dated to around 4th -1st century BC

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As it thankfully cooled down a little in the evening, we headed out to a pizza restaurant close to the campsite (seems well frequented by locals - always a good sign), and called in at the local park for a stroll with rubes on route. How interesting that was - seems a real community hub in the park, with loads of (predominantly older) people sitting chatting, playing, generally socialising, and a small prefab bar and pizza place - a lovely atmosphere. Had a quick drink then on to our intended pizza restaurant - which was very good 👍

Pre dinner drinks in the park bar

Another tasty pizza

Beautiful sunset from the camping

Leaving Volterra we headed over to the famous Chianti region of central Tuscany - stayed at a small wine producer (since 2011) trying to break into the Chianti Classico market - La Montanina - a beautiful rambling estate, with a very much needed swimming pool in these extreme temperatures 😃 

Looking down onto La Montanina

Today was Ruby’s birthday- she is now 11 🥳 We can hardly believe it - how quickly those 11 years have flown by - and also amazed just how well she has done having being diagnosed age 3 with a spondylosis of the spine, a life shortening long term condition. Even though she has become very sedentary and lethargic of late ( partly due to her thyroid deficiency) she seems really happy and continues to laugh loads - we still have loads of fun 🤩 Italy is proving a little too hot for her, but she always manages to find somewhere to cool off 🤣

Cooling off 🤣

Needed to get out and about early, before too hot - so set off on our bikes to explore - ending up at Brolio Castle - home of the Ricasoli family since the 1141 - important as Bettino Ricasoli was the founder of Chianti Classico wine 🍷 The countryside and landscapes were stunning - beautiful villages, miles and miles of terraced vines. Called at another castle on route - beautiful, but not quite as grand as Brolio 😃

The residential part of Brolio where the Ricasoli family still live

Brolio Castle

Gardens of the castle

Views from the castle walls

Castles everywhere 

There was one restaurant in the village where we were staying,  and fortunately it came with good recommendations 😃 And what a treat it was! Giorgio was the patron, and chef - didn’t speak any English, but we managed to converse well. There was no menu - we had what we were given - and it was totally amazing 😻 As seems typical, we started off with a mixed plate of antipasti which included a sublime porcini roll, followed by the mosr divine truffle lasagna (probably my number one food experience on this trip so far). Our secondi was slow roast pork with roast potatoes and tomatoes, also absolutely delicious. Dolci was a slice of pineapple cake. All washed down with a lovely bottle of red - know idea what the wine was - we were just given it 🤣

Feeling very chilled with a really good bottle of red 😃

Truffle lasagna - the best ever! 

Antipasti delights- particularly the porcini roll

Bit of an aside - after the meal was finished Georgio appeared with his “pet” eagle owl that lives in a tree in the courtyard. Felt a bit uncomfortable about this - but I guess all part of the experience 😃

Post dinner “entertainment “

Wine tasting at the Estate was an option, so here was our chance to sample a range of Chianti produced wines. Just myself and Dave on this occasion - not a patch on the Barga wine tasting experience, but interesting and pleasant nonetheless. Didn’t end up buying any on this occasion 🍷

We could only choose 4 to sample for our 15 euros 🤣

This area was lovely, but sadly not really working well for us - far too hot! All three of us were struggling with the heat, and all rivers dry, so no swimming for Rubes. So have decided to move on a little further east of Florence, to a slightly higher altitude - fingers crossed for some reprieve from the intense heat 🤞

Arrivederci 😃