Delayed train after delayed train, or ‘a normal transit in Italy’. The Idiots quick trip from Monterosso to Florence did not go to plan. Having missed the connecting train as a result of the initial train being 25 minutes slow (must have got caught in traffic), the Idiots found themselves taking the long, regional route, to Florence. Punctual is not a word that can be translated into the Italian language.
Under a hot Tuscan sun, we explored the old Roman city. For the one who had been before, his only goal was to find the drinking fountain that spurt out mineral water… yep, there is a drinking fountain that pours out sparkling (gas) water instead of just normal water. The comments made by one of us in 2012 after making this discovery confirms why there was such a strong desire to return:
Jaws on the floor when they found out about the bubbler they were first about to drink out of, offered cold sparkling mineral water. For Perksy, it was “arguably the best thing i’ve seen and experienced in Italy so far.”
A bloody decent panini, mouth watering gelatos and tagliatelle pasta ft. beef ragu was enough to keep us happy. But the most exciting thing was how close we were to the Chianti wine region. Not wanting to be part of a big tour group that jumped on and off a coach, after a few hours we found and booked a small tour. Small tour being 2-10 people maximum in a minibus. A tram ride to the bus station and upon our arrival we were informed that there would be 37 people on our tour… So the question was asked: “Do some of us just ride up on the roof of the mini bus, or how does that part work? Well, it turns out, it doesn’t work that was so we ended up on a coach. Basically the exact thing we didn’t want, is the exact thing we got. The only difference was that we were fortunate enough to pay the premium (of which took 4 emails and 2 weeks to demand a refund).
So here we are, sitting on a coach, sweating through a shirt, with 35 other people from all different backgrounds. We were heading through the Tuscan hills trying to make sense of a ‘guide’ who nobody understood. Guide: think buck toothed, messy fringe and lipstick applied by a 3 year old. After arriving and having a tasting at the first winery, it couldn’t be faltered. Beautiful old buildings and very easy drinking vino.
The next stop was a little different. We arrive at a medieval castle with people dressed in olden day clothes. They were dressed as Roman soldiers, beggars, other historical things. Like an Amish community except Roman Empire. They read of scripts and spoke in old Roman language. Canons were being fired, scrolls being read and the Idiots with absolute looks of terror and confusion. WHERE IS THE WINE!! We sniffed it out and whilst everyone else was exploring the medieval village, we were tasting more Chianti’s.
The final winery was too amazing but our memories past that point started to get a bit hazy.
