2023 Monday Oct. 23

Castiglione d'Orcia to Radicofani

Click to view today’s video:  https://www.relive.cc/view/vXOnxQnR55q

The morning was beautiful but clouds moved in the afternoon. We arrived at our next agriturismo stop in the early afternoon, and since Tuesday was slated to be a very long day, we trekked up the mountain to visit Radicofani to save time Tuesday morning.

Breakfast was scheduled for 7:30 in the garden so we could celebrate sunrise.
And it was glorious!
Elena served us with all the usual breakfast trays as well as eggs and peppers from their chickens and garden.
Time to be on our way. The Via Francigena runs next to our morning breakfast table, so ciao gatti who are still looking to clean up any of our leftovers.
We pass by the Romanesque church of San Pellegrino at Briccole, the only ruins left from the abbey mentioned by Archbishop Sigeric in 13th century documents of the Via Francigena
There are a few changes noticed from the published guidebook. Thank you, unnamed bicyclists, who led us to this crossing under a bridge instead of the listed road passageway.
Another welcome change: the trail leads away from the busy highway.
A welcome picnic table. Since there are no services on this day, we purchased panini from the agriturismo and enjoyed a break with our lunch.
We’re early for our evening check-in, but quickly get ready to finish our 3-plus miles up to Radicofani.
The fortress is even farther up the hill from the town, but since we had been seeing it for days on the horizon, it was not a question of whether or not we would visit. Of course, Richard climbed the tower.
Racing back for dinner, we joined the one other couple staying at the agriturismo for another great meal. First, an appetizer tray.
The primo is pici with tomato, garlic, and formaggio. Montalcino wine was our beverage of choice.
For a secondo, roast beef and potatoes. Cheesecake was dessert.

Comments:

Dave Wolfe: With those fairly large and scrumptious dinners you need those long hikes. And conversely, they are a reward for the demanding day’s . Jan, I presume you are collecting recipes. Beautiful country scenes. 2023/10/25 at 6:19 am

Reply: Hi Dave, We have been eating well but working hard with lots of climbing. As Richard always says when we sit down to a meal: “We earned this.” We’ll see how long it takes before I can’t fit into my clothes! 2023/10/25 at 10:18 am

Julia Holman: Stunning views and what looks to be fabulously delicious! You both are beasts of the walking trail. I don’t know why after seeing where you both have stayed, we don’t all have family sit down when you return and talk about buying one of these castles and be a stopping point for other travelers 😉 😉 😉 (think about it.) Love you both you are clearly in your element. 2023/10/25 at 3:43 pm

Julia Holman: *fabulously delicious…meals. 2023/10/25 at 3:44 pm

Reply: Some of these locations are so stunning that we do talk about what could be. Keep an eye open for posts in a couple of days where I’m scoping out dream places. 2023/10/26 at 8:43 pm

Reply: The meals have been wonderful, but only rivaling the wonderful meals at Julia and Dave’s, and Andrea and Mark’s. 2023/10/26 at 8:44 pm

Julia’s Reply: Ahhhhh…so kind…..and appreciate not being too bragg-y about the wonderful food all us back at home are missing out on. 🙂 2023/10/28 at 8:04 pm

Kathy Nichols: Celebrate sunrise? What is that? An old Italian tradition?? 2023/10/26 at 11:47 pm

Reply: I’ll celebrate each morning’s glorious sunrise, and we certainly did on the morning pictures. Another day I woke up ready to move! 2023/10/27 at 5:02 am

Reply: You’ll be happy to know that Italy changed from daylight savings time on Sunday morning, so now we can celebrate sunrise at 6:15. Unfortunately, it’s now dark at 5:15 pm so we have to make sure we have arrived at our hotel before dark. 2023/10/31 at 4:29 pm

Unknown: Beautiful country, food looks delicious! 2023/10/29 at 5:41 pm