Yeah, well so much for thoughtful blogging. I just spent the late evening trying to figure out next week. Almost there, pending a response from an AirBnB host.
Today, we drove over to Sovano, where we explored some Etruscan vie cave – which are these trails amidst Etruscan burial sites. Burial sites are the only sites which provide evidence of Etruscan life, since the settlements they founded are mostly still settled, so their artifacts are buried very deep.
This is where we wandered today.
Then over to Saturnia, which is known for its thermal waters. I was a little confused as to where the waters were, my phone data wasn’t working, so we ended up in the town itself, where we found a place that was still serving something for lunch (at around 3 – not easy to find in non-heavily touristed Italy), got gelato, and then found the Information office, where the staff member was very helpful. In both Saturnia and here in Sorano, the information offices were staffed by people who spoke excellent English (and probably German and French as well) and were very kind and helpful.
Found it!
Only one of us went in – my oldest was fighting a headache, and I was just not in the mood for getting wet and then driving…but the younger was all for it, and took the waters with the Italians.
No mud, though.
The intention was to get to Pitigliano, which did happen, but not before a grocery store stop. As we drove through Montalcino, we saw a supermarket – which Sorano definitly does not have – so we made a stop for supplies, which also includes random food souvenirs that I will be bringing back. More on that later.
Back in the car, then to Pitigliano, the place that inspired my interest in this part of Italy.
We did drive through it, but it really looked like it was going to rain, so we didn’t stop. It was pretty crowded with visitors, anyway.
Back to Sorano, then a little break, then a walk down to the beginnings of our own vie cave – saw a muskrat in the river! – then back up into town, a bit of dinner here – it was very good and far superior to the dinner we’d had the night before. I hope it’s open on Sunday, because I will certainly return. I had tagliatelle with puttanesca sauce and a side of caponeta, simply because I was curious about the caponata – it was good, but I have to admit I like Michael Chiarello’s recipe much better – far more pungent and strongly flavored.
And that’s it. Tomorrow, Mass, back to Pitigliano to explore their vie cave, a walk on ours, tour the fortress here in Sorano and probably a bit of just driving around. We’ll see.
Charlotte was Both 