Small Hilltop Towns, Natural Hotspring, Tutti Bene!

Exploring Tuscany… A lovely breakfast in the courtyard served by Marco. Talked with a American couple a bit before we were served. Even breakfast is served in a laid back style.

Once finished we grabbed our travel backpack full of the goods we would need for the day, loaded up into our Blue Fiat and headed for Pienza!

Pienza, one of the many hilltop towns in Tuscany. Full of shops selling Pecorino cheese and yummy meats! Bought us a few kinds of meats to pack home with us. Wishfully thinking of how nice it would be to have quality stores like this back at home!

 We set off in search of a market we knew was taking place in Pienza today. After much searching we found it. Not quite what I was expecting or maybe it was getting too late in the day. Maybe we will have better luck elsewhere?!

 Feeling hungry we stopped for lunch at cute little restaurant. I had tomato soup with burrata on top and a salad with a bit too many brown pieces for my liking. Jeff had pasta with ground pork ragu. Finishing our meal by finding once again a gelato shop!

  Hot Springs as our next destination. Stopping by the hilltop town of Montalcino for a few viewpoints, espresso, and water. (It's a hot day here in Italy.) Ready to roll again we set off in search of the hidden hot springs. Mostly used by locals the springs are not known to many tourists. The only fee is a parking fee for parking along the road. Finding the trail we went in search of a perfect spot.

Going downstream we found a private spot.

Still warm maybe not a hot as where most of the other people were. Beings there was no facilities a change in the woods was the best option we had. We'll sitting I a pool of warm sulfur water surrounded by nature is definitely a experience. No luxury spa just a waterfall massaging your back! 

  Ready for the trip back to Lupia, we started on the forty five minute drive back. Full of curves, narrow roads (some gravel roads) and lots of Tuscan scenery!

 Not feeling like taking time for a long supper. (Myself dealing with a headache…) Deciding to order supper to our room and eat it on our patio table. Jeff chose a pasta dish and I had the Greek salad. ( cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, and large chunks of fresh soft feta cheese) Different from any Greek salads I have ever tried. Really good.

Enjoyed watching the sunset before turning in for the night…