Obviously I am having a great time with the tour company Culture Discovery since I have only posted pictures since May 21st and not any blogs. It has been very busy every day but not quite as much walking as when I visited the other cities.
I started the tour on the wrong foot by going to the train station instead of the airport in Florence to meet with the van and tour group organizer. They were kind enough to drive to the train station to pick me up otherwise the average cost for me to find my way to Radda would have been between $180 and $300 euros. Since then however every day has gotten better. Saturday was a slow day as the other people in the group arrived (this is a small group but they already feel like family). There is Ben from England whose mum gave him the holiday for his 50th birthday. His wife Jackie and two sons stayed at home in Oxford so the women in the group are making sure he is taking a nice present home to her. Then there is a dynamic couple, Randy and Meryl, who are from New England. Randy is retired but not really as he has said he is now busier than before retirement. His wife, Meryl, who is an incredible speaker and is one of those power women you can’t help but admire; she is everything beautiful. Then there are the three people from Culture Discovery who have made the past few days incredibly fun.
Since Saturday, I have been staying in Radda but have visited Montalcino, Montepulciano, Pienza, Cortona, and Sienna. We have had two cooking classes with wonderful chefs who have graciously shared their recipes and knowledge they received from their families. We met with a certified wine sommelier on Sunday and learned about the Chianti wines, the regulations that Italy has in place for their wine industry and learned about the black rooster which is the trade mark of a true Italian Chianti Classico. On Monday we had two different wine tastings, one for lunch with a small Brunello winery and one for dinner with a tour of the ancient 14th century wine cellar at the De Ricci winery. The wine cellar was truly incredible and our host there was so gracious and welcoming. Tuesday we were in Cortona for one of the cooking classes and then some free time in the village. Today we were first at the Radda Cashmere Goat Farm, then another winery for tastings and lunch followed by a guided walking tour in Sienna, a little free time and dinner before coming back to Radda. Tomorrow we are headed to Florence early for a very full day with food and wine tour, museum and a little free time, ending the day with a barbecue.
As you can see it has been a very busy and full five days with still two more to go with this unique and wonderful tour company – Culture Discovery.
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