The Grand Tour: Sept30-Oct4–Italia!

Dublin to Milan flight. Shuttle to Milano Centrale where I enjoy a cappuccino and a slice of Torta della Nonna while waiting for my train. Our arrival in Firenze was briefly threatened by a police incident (?) in Bologna, but we got there on time and I ran to meet my friend Steve who had come to drive to his casa in Scansano in the heart of Tuscany.

Steve and I worked together in NYC and travelled all over the world for International Sesame Street. He drove fast wanting to get to his balcony to see the sunset. We made it.

Steve’s place is filled with stately cypress trees, grape vines, olive trees and a working pizza oven!

It’s late but we’re both hungry so we head down the road to Graziella’s restaurant where she serves us her latest invention..eggplant with spicy cheese and sausage. OMG.

The next day we go into town to Gaia’s, owner and chef extraordinaire at Il Carriaio

Anchovy and egg appetizer followed by the best hamburger ever!

The next day we venture out to Porto Santo Stefano on the Mediterranean, where we eat— once again— delicious seafood platter for Steve and ravioli with burrata for me. If you’re getting the idea that Italy is all about food, you’d be right.

I always leave a large part of my heart when I say goodbye to Sansano. It is like heaven on earth.