Two cappuccinos, three croissants, and a yogurt were among the things I ate for breakfast before we started on our way from Casciana Terme to Volterra. The first part of the ride was mostly downhill and flat, with a brief climb to Lajatico. Garry, Lisa, and I stopped along the way to snap some fun photos. In Lajatico, we relaxed in the square for a bit and I got another capucchino (and boy, was it good!) before riding out with Tom and Beth. We rode down and flat again for a while. I tried to race a scooter for a bit , but thought better of it as the climb to Volterra was approaching. The long (6 or so miles) climb was rewarded with stunning views of the surrounding countryside and the city itself. I actually managed to miss the turn for the hotel and rode downhill for a bit before realizing it. So I got to get a little more climbing in for the day.
At the hotel, I helped Huibertha unload and sort the luggage. Fred was already there, and Lisa and others arrived shortly after I did. We ordered a confusing lunch from a confused waitress in the hotel restaurant before I checked in and sent my laundry down for cleaning. At 5PM we met downstairs for a wine tasting with Pedro, the hotel sommelier. A few glasses of wine later, we made our way to the dining room for dinner. I think we were being a little obnoxious, since we were getting funny looks from the other guests. Dinner was nonetheless delicious – papardelle pasta with wild boar sauce, pork chops, and a tuscan cake. Oh, and whatever wine was leftover from the tasting.
A few of us went into Volterra to “Web and Wine” for a while but it was late and we were drunk and tired, so we didn’t stay out too long. Web and Wine was definitely a cool place – very interesting decor and atmosphere, beer on tap, hot chocolate, wine, and, of course, coffee.
