Greve in Chianti

Yesterday we dragged all the luggage to the area near the train station in Florence, and I spent some time walking around all the bus stops there looking for the airport bus (because I planned to pick the rental car up there, figuring it would be easier driving than the city center).  Finally, I asked the King of the Carbinierri (I wish you could have seen him:  early 60's, posture like a nobleman and decorated in every open space on his uniform with medals and ribbons; he was very kind and pointed me in the direction of the bus station which I hadn't even known existed until that moment).  We lugged everything there and had only to wait a few minutes for the bus.

                                                               Bus station waiting

I'd read a lot of nightmare scenarios about the car company I'd elected to use, and so I was fully expecting a whole slew of add-on charges.  But nothing of the sort occurred and everyone was really wonderful.  We were on our way out of the airport in our little Fiat within 1/2 hour of getting to the airport.  AND it had a full tank of gas (sometimes they don't).  

                                                                                  The Fiat

After a little while on the AutoStrada, we got off and started heading towards Chianti on some of the secondary roads.  And we soon found a good lunch place:

There's a refrigerator in this picture

See the big hunks of meat??

Another display with fake?? pasta

Lots of bamboo provided a sheltered connection with Nature, a proper antidote for the city

                                           Creme Brulee brought flaming to the table

                                                Panna Cota, my new favorite dessert

No, of course we didn't just have dessert for lunch!!  The very idea!  But it's all I thought to photograph.

We reached our location for the next two nights, Greve in Chianti,  and found our hotel with ease.  Both of us were charmed by the family who runs it, and it's right on the main town square... although our room faces the pool and gardens.

Greve in Chianti

We browsed through the shops in the square (actually a triangle) and then had dinner last night at a really wonderful restaurant.  I didn't have my camera then so I can't share any food pictures.  But we plan to return tonight for dinner, in order to get pictures.  And of course I am doing this just for you!  Hmm, hmmm.