Leaving San Gimignano I had mixed feelings about the experience. It wasn’t what I expected but there were beautiful views, some quiet side streets and fantastic gelato! Now on to lunch at a Tuscan farm.
San Donato Farm
It was a quick 20-30 minute drive before we arrived at Fattoria San Donato.
After a few minutes to visit restrooms and look around we were escorted into the farmhouse.
The house is 5 or 6 centuries old and was very charming.
We were guided to the second floor where the owner/hostess gave an overview of our lunch today.
It was a simple meal but when you use freshly grown ingredients and love preparing it tasted wonderful.
In addition to the food we had unlimited water, red wine or white wine.
The meal was completed with biscotti…
and a dessert wine bottled right at the farm (as were the olive oil and other wines).
After eating we had more free time for restrooms, walking around and of course visiting the wine shop.
My tourmates were amazed at the size of the lemons on this potted tree. This is the same type we have planted outside our condo; wish I knew what variety it is.
My purchases…
Umberto, whose family has owned the farm for 80 plus years, gave us a tour of the winery.
It was time to leave too soon. I did get their card in hopes of visiting again in the future. They have overnight guests at very reasonable rates.
We then boarded the bus and thanks to a more direct route only took 90 minute to return.
The scenery was just as beautiful.
After turning in my wine and olive oil, I was back in my cabin around 5 pm and we met at Taste for dinner at 5:30.
Dinner
We chose the Taste dining room so we could wear shorts. Appetizers tonight included cream of cauliflower soup
Salad…
Fried mozzarella sticks…
Yellow Split Pea soup…
And a small chicken Caesar salad.
My entree tonight was linguine with shrimp.
Sisters M and T had the NY strip steak.
Our brother had the fried chicken and said it was much better than the lunch fried chicken.
For dessert three of us had the chocolate lava cake with ice cream and Sister T had a fruit plate.
After dinner I went to the 7 pm showing of Elaine Cochran in Headliners showroom. It was not my cup of tea so I left after 30 minutes. Most of the attendees were Brits and they loved her. A weird moment was when she said you’ll know this song and darn if everyone did… except me and maybe a stray American in the room.
Back to the cabin after this as tomorrow we’ll be tendering in Cannes.
Here is today’s Freestyle (click for the PDF).
If you missed the other parts of the recap the links are below.
Next Vacation: Barcelona and Norwegian Epic
Barcelona Flights and Lodging Plans
Norwegian Epic: Port Call Plans
Traveling to Barcelona
Barcelona Day 1
Monserrat
Cava Winery Tour/Taste
La Sagrada Familia
Las Ramblas
Epic Embarkation Day
Epic Sea Day
An Epic Visit to Naples
Two Epic Hilltop Towns
Specialty Dining: Moderno
The Epic San Gimignano
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