Tuscany, Italy

My first stop in Italy after the airport was the little village of Donnini. I had friends who were vacationing at the same time as myself and they had a relative with a home in Donnini. This gave the intimate experience of staying in a tiny town in a family home in the middle of Tuscany. There were only several businesses in the area, one of which was a small bakery. Everyone stopped the morning for an espresso, so we did, too! Here is the little area for seating on the street with me feeling groggy from jet lag, but ever so happy! 

San Gimignano is a small village and prefect for exploring the feel of tiny streets and vendors in Tuscany. There was pizza by the slice sold from walk up windows, as pictured below. Additionally, beautiful stone walls and painted doors and little shops lined the winding roads. 

Another memorable stop in this little place was Ristorante Peruca. This is where I had the "Florentine steak" experience. The size of the steak is hard to describe without having it sitting directly before you. Suffice it to say, there were five adults who could not finish our steak that filled a wooden cutting board on which it sat, plated for bringing to the table! It was very large and very tender and also served with some delightful side dishes, not to be overlooked! There was pasta filled with sheep cheese and pears then covered in a saffron sauce! There was also marinated Mackerel fish on a zucchini and carrot salad. Yes, the steak was memorable, but do yourself a favor and also taste other dishes on the menu! 

In the little village of San Gimignano, there is a very long line to a very little gelato shop that boasts award winning scoops. Gelateria Dondoli is world famous for specialty gelato flavors, such as saffron and pine nut. Of course, I stood in line and tested it out for myself! It was delicious and it was fun to enjoy in the quaint and relatively quiet courtyard to which the doors face. 

A short drive from this area, I stopped at Tenuta Torciano Winery. They offered not only wine tasting, but also balsamic vinegar tasting. They provided a plate of cheese to taste alongside these treats, as pictured below. The staff was highly entertaining and fluent in English, making a delightful afternoon! 

Here is a large assortment of wines that we tasted, which lead to...

the uninhibited version of myself, drinking aged balsamic vinegar being poured from the bottle! What happens in Italy...only stays in Italy if not published publicly in a picture!