Pisa and Tuscany(Montecatini)

Leaning tower of Pisa
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Up early again today for the longish bus ride to Tuscany via Pompora. We stopped at this small place for lunch and a very brief tour around the museum and basillica. This must be a pretty regular stop for the tourist buses as all the souvenier stands are setup there when you get off the bus. We continued on with our bus ride all the way through to Montacatini. This resort township is well known for its "healing" spa. Apparently you can get a referral from your doctor to go to the spa and there they prescribe you an amount of the healing waters that you have to drink over a specified period of time. After checking into our hotel room about 3:30pm, Joe and I went for a walk, having our obligatory gelati along the way. Paula had come down with a really sore throat and decided to try and sleep it off. We didn't see her until breakfast the next day. On our walk, Joe and I walked up to the spa which was a magnificently adorned marble building and discovered the spa was closed for health visits over the easter weekend, but open to the public for a free visit. We walked around the courtyard area inside and it was just as impressive as the outside. There was a fountain that had barriers up around it which I imagined contained the "healing waters" which no one was supposed to help themselves to for free.

The inside of the spa at Montecatini
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After this Joe and I walked back towards our hotel and decided it was time for a cappucino. We wondered through the local markets which were setting up right next to our hotel. This was full of clothes, knick-knacks and souveniers. We were on a deadline to get back to our hotel as we had booked an optional dinner that night at a local winery. We loaded on the bus with the other people going and headed out. On arrival we were taken on a brief walk up to the vinyards to hear a bit about their grapes, and then on to the olive orchard to hear about their extra-virgin olive oil. We trudged back to the cellar and entered the marquee they had setup with heaters and table seating for all people. The second globus tour that was following the same route as us was there as well so it made for a big party tent. The hostess introduced the four table wines (two white and two red), which we could partake in as much as we like. They served the appetisers of cured italian meats, olives, sundried tomatoes and bruschetta. This was followed by a course of bean soup that I didn't like. It was then onto the two pasta courses - first the tomato macaroni - but not as we know it - traditional Italian macaroni - flat square sheets like mini lasagne sheets, followed by lasagne. By now much wine was being enjoyed by all and the hostess started up on the dancefloor with some of the tour members and the DJ. The meat course followed with a platter of chicken, lamb or pork, accompanied by a salad. You can imagine that I was nearly busting with food by now. A desert wine was placed on the table which was very very sweet, followed by the tiramisu dessert. Finally there was coffee, then the grappa - something very potent served in a shot glass. Much fun was had by all and Joe caught a lot of good shots and movies with his camera. However, it seems that Joey had overdone it just a tad with the alcohol, and was feeling quite ill on the way home, turning quite pallid and breaking out in a cold sweat. I thought he was going to be sick all over the bus floor on the way home. We did make it back ok and he just fell on the bed and went to sleep. A long day, and way, way, too much food!!

Those Tuscan people know how to party!