Leaving the Palazzio was not easy...they really went all out in every way...including breakfast:
They had a beautiful wood fire oven..and taking a picture of it, I know Nick will get some great ideas...
Heading down to get my car from the free parking area...a photo of the pool and view of the Chianti hillside was in order:
Our route from Castellini in Chianti to Montalcino took a scenic turn, as we encountered many views of Italian Cypress, vineyards, hilltop towns and sunflowers...this photo op blessed Peggy...
a few years ago...Jim, Christine, Peggy and I went in search of special "No Stress" wears of the under variety. As we passed through this tiny town this morning...what do I see, but the need to come to a screeching halt and take this photo...
Arriving in Montalcino around lunchtime, we stopped before checking into Il Giglio, our hotel, to have a small bite. Of course my seat was directly over the underground cave..protected by a heavy piece of plexiglass...a little scary nonetheless...
Classic bread soup, grilled vegetables and pinci (thick hollow spaghetti) covered in roasted tomato and garlic sauce make for a great lunch. Including a glass of wine, a liter of water and 2 coffees, the total came to 26 euros....but more importantly, gave Peggy a few more recipes to bring stateside...
With 35 minutes left on our parking spot...what else but to find a perfect reading bench...looking away from the city to the countryside...mission accomplished!
Not a bad view looking back at the fortress of Montalcino...
You will start to see, if you haven't noticed already, a strong desire for Peggy to find a reading bench. I think she caught a disease from Elva...but the only cure is to find one and relax until the symptoms are over...thankfully I had a few surprises up my sleeve...the room we had in Montalcino, at Il Giglio, was the only one with a patio...yes and a reading bench:))
from there you had views of the local underwear...along with some towers...
and the required angel playing bocce ball
so it wasn't long before the required time in "reading saddle" had to be incurred...
Always an error to interrupt "reading saddle" time...because that only produces a need for an increase in time to be made available on a different bench. This one was found as we had a small stroll before dinner...looking somewhat west into the sunset and rain clouds...pretty spectacular...
Dinner at Re de Macchia, about 60 feet from our hotel (because this is the only night they're closed for dinner) turned out to be spectacular as well...#2 of 27 in Trip Advisor in the region, and #1 in the city of Montalcino proper we first enjoyed their take on Caprese Salad. Antonio is the husband serving in the front, and Roberta is the chef (wife) in the back making this amazing stuff...I mean who adds prosciutto to a Caprese Salad???
The roasted vegetables were excellent, and the right amount since Peggy and I split the entire dinner...
Then we enjoyed a hidden steak under the radicchio and arugula...perfectly grilled off, and served with spinach and roasted potatoes
The dessert was a flaming creme brulee (bruleed right in front of our eyes...and yours)...
and the couple next to us, from Donegal Ireland, made the evening a delight as we shared Ireland stories...which included what??? Yep...music, beer, gorgeous landscapes, more beer etc...Time to head back and enjoy the reading patio before sleep...boy am I glad we have that patio!!! Ciao Bella!
The reading bench, Elva comments, is addicting--and she is looking forward to a fix!
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