Radicofani

Friday was our last day in Tuscany. We spent a relaxing morning at the villa, sitting outside eating breakfast and (for some of us) drawing or writing postcards.  (There were bees living in a tree near the picnic table, but fortunately they didn't bother us!)

Some of us headed out for Radicofani -- which was new and different because we were turning left rather than right out of the villa!  (There be dragons!)  Radicofani's claim to fame is their Fortezza, a twenty-minute hike up from town for some nice views.  It's interesting -- the landscape is noticably more dry and barren-looking going that direction.

Craig, Mary, Mike, and I ended up going by the town and finding the road up to the fort.  But alas, it was closed!  The sign claimed it was open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, but that was clearly wrong since the gates were locked and large signs warned that trespassers would be videotaped and fined.  Bummer!!  We walked around the nearby cemetary (mostly relatively modern graves as it turned out), and around some paths nearby, which provided nice views of their own.

Then we descended into town in time for lunch at one of the maybe two restaurants in town.  This one was called La Grotta (the Grotto), and it was packed!!  Another car from our group had arrived there when it first opened, and was surprised when they were asked if they had reservations -- but then moments later the placed had filled up.  Three-quarters of us had a delicious meal (unfortunately, Craig didn't like the pasta he choose). Their soups (onion and mushroom) were especially yummy.

We wandered around the town afterwards, and it was almost deserted, but still pretty.  :)