Monday - and the weather was back to being nice and warm. So we went to Carrara - most famous place for marble - and not far from where we're staying. But first we had to get there.... as it's - of course - up in the mountains... I'm not a big fan of marble, which Per only just found out after being married for more than 20 years - so we didn't end up buying anything big and heavy - which is what often happens with us :) On the way back we went to the beach - which is not easy in Italy. On the Eastern coast the train is in the way - and here on the Western coast all the beach clubs are in the way. You can't see the water - which is amazing. Every inch of the beach is just one long line of beach clubs - some of them private and the only way to get access to the beach is by sitting down to eat or drink. Not completely true - there are a few public beaches, but not many and when you finally find them, they are so busy, even out of season. I can only imagine what they'll be like in high season.. And when we finally got down to the water it didn't look very inviting though so Per decided to wait till we get back home.... (or when we get to Cook Islands in December :)
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Next place - Forte dei Marmi - on the coast of Tuscany. After we booked we found out that it's the place where the rich Italians go - so that explains why the hotel was offering rental super-yards, Ferrari's, etc..... On the way to Forte dei Mami we had lunch in Lucca - quite a big town and NOT on a hill-top as we thought. But some really nice shopping there :) And we had a nice lunch - of course :) My lunch to the left and Per's to the right...... if in doubt :) And then we reached our hotel...... Il Bottaccio. The hotel only have 8 suits so it's a bit like going to Falsled Kro in Denmark - there's a special atmosphere or calm and you feel transported to a different world - no better way to explain it :) Sunday was a grey and rainy day, so we went into town to have a look around - and found out that we want to come back when the weather is nicer - lots of good shops. And even though it was raining it was still quite warm, so we had nice fish for lunch in Fonte dei Mami.
We left Urbino Tuesday morning to go to Colle di Val d'Elsa in Tuscany - a 3 hour drive. On the way Per wanted to see a few things - first thing; Furlo Gorge, but it turned out the gorge was closed - not sure whether the earthquake had damaged something.. Next thing was a good view point..... of course - on top of a mountain and it was 15 km on a very small road - two cars couldn't pass - and there was absolutely nothing between us and a very, very steep slope..... We never got to the top - it was too scary - at least for me who wasn't driving - just looking down and going hysterical every time we met a car - which was only twice :) After that experience we got hungry - and Per wanted a Porchetta sandwich - and Per had a really good one a couple of years ago in Perugia, so we drove to Perugia to get a sandwich - as you do...... And the place was still there, so we were lucky - after almost giving up when trying to find a park.... Parking is not easy in these little Italian towns - especially when they are situated on top of a small mountain.... After a wonderful sandwich we drove on to Colle di Val d'Elsa - staying for four nights in - what looked like - a bit of luxury :) The Romantic Suite it's called :) Colle - as it's called - is another hill-top town. This town however has spilled out to the valley below as well, so there's top and bottom Colle :) Most of the restaurants etc. are to be found at the bottom. Colle is producing crystal items - most beautiful glasses and vases, etc. They produce 12% of the worlds crystal items and 95% of Italy's - so big business in Colle. Unfortunately we missed the fabric - turned out it was only open in the morning - but we went to the crystal museum and saw some beautiful pieces. And - we were also lucky enough to be in town for the weekly market :) |
G&PThis is our blog - we use this to keep track of what we've done and where we've been.... as we can't always remember :) Archives
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