BLOG #3 DAY 2. JUNE 11, 2015
Those who know me well, know that I enjoy a good swim in a hotel pool (whether I’m a guest there or not..oops) Perhaps not the most kosher of my habits but why would Italy be any exception?
I’d noticed that the Grand Hotel (across the street from the Hotel Columbia) had a lovely large pool and slipped in for a morning swim.
I spied some nattily dressed Italian policeman (carabinieri )outside the hotel but fortunately my trespassing went unnoticed.
The pool was cold but invigorating and I was now sufficiently awake for my next adventure but still needed caffeine!
Grabbed a cappuchino at a local bar (consumed standing , less expensive than getting a table…and learned that cappuccinos are not to be ordered after 11 a.m.) then walked through town to catch the funicular to Montecantini Alta!
https://www.funicolare-montecatini.it/orari-e-prezzi/timetable-and-prices/
I took the funicular car named Gigia (there’s a second car Gigio, both once simply known as Number 1 and Number 2) It’s a unique and characteristic transportation method which clearly hasn’t lost its charm since its inauguration on June 4, 1898, witnessed by Giuseppe Verdi himself!
Riding on one of the red cars with wooden benches, on the way up I was surrounded by lush growth and wild poppies and once in the town, I was amazed at the quaint town square, beautiful villas and intoxicating smell of jasmine.
Montecatini Alto, a medieval town set on two hills, does offer some historical sites.
On one side you will find the Rocca di Castello Vecchio, the Church of St. Peter (the original church of Montecatini) and the Tower of Campanaria. On the opposite hill you will find the Torre dell’Orologio and the Church of the Carmine in a distinct Baroque style.
I wandered a bit, then had lunch al fresco overlooking a Tuscan valley straight out of a Renaissance landscape painting. There was light rain shower so in hopes of warming up tried the famous Tuscan bread soup, Ribollito.
Maybe my gluten intolerance had just started kicking in but this – soggy bread and vegetables -wasn’t my favorite Tuscan meal. However, it was followed by a cup of Tuscan hot chocolate – cioccolata caldo – that was so rich it was like eating warm chocolate ice cream. Yum! That was a favorite.
Feeling full and ready to explore some more, took Gigia back down into Montecantini Terme and did some shopping in an open air market. Discovered some great Tuscan printed tablecloths for 5 euros and picked up several for Christmas presents.
I’m a big fan of matinees and was back in time to catch a 4:00 pm showing of Sin City with Bruce Willis – in Italian with no subtitles. Although I don’t speak Italian I was able to follow the plot as the visuals told the story.
Dinner time! And wanted to try a local dish -ravioli with walnut truffle cream sauce -I ventured to Ristorante da Lorenzo popular with locals and very well reviewed. .
This is dish was as divine as it sounds and so so rich – 6 raviolis and a small salad were a feast!
A stroll around the town to wear off a bit of the walnut cream sauce, now fully satisfied and filled with all the experiences at Montecantini it was off to bed for the next adventure…..Florence!