Under the Tuscan clouds. Yes. I know. It is supposed to be under the Tuscan sun, but if you saw the clouds the days I was in Tuscany, you would agree with the name change too.
After an amazing day adventuring en route to Siena and the truly adventurous Context Tour in the city full of a caste of characters (more on that coming up in a separate post!), we once again left Florence and headed to do more exploring in the rural hills of Tuscany.
We wandered a bit with Mr. Misadventures taking photo after photo of the Tuscan countryside.
Eventually, our stomachs dictated a stop and we stumbled upon San Quirico d’Orcia, a very, very sleepy town, in fact as we drove around it [twice] we weren’t even sure it was inhabited!
Thank god, we were starving, and persistent, as we were about to have a meal of a lifetime!
We parked our car in front of some serious signs that made me wonder whether it would be there when we returned (although I wasn’t sure who exactly was going to take it away, as we hadn’t seen a soul)! We walked down a narrow street in front of a beautiful church and started searching for restaurants.
See…abandoned!
We turned the corner and found La Bottega de Cacio, a very unassuming location that was well designed and full of light (as someone who likes to take food photos, that is always a huge score in my book!).
We walked in and asked if they were serving lunch and the lady of the house nodded her headed, seated us and handed us a menu.
And then we saw it.
A truffle menu.
That’s right. Three courses of truffle-centered dishes.
Come to mama.
My previous experience with truffles was limited. I’d had a pathetic omelet with truffles in La Drôme, France. And of course, the amazing truffle sandwich I had just experienced a few days earlier at Procacci.
Earlier in the year, I had read Langdon Cook’s The Mushroom Hunters
and knew Italian truffles were prized as some of the best in the world, particularly the white.
I didn’t know what kind of truffles would be served in the truffle menu, but it didn’t matter. They could have been purple with pink dots, I was getting that menu.
I didn’t even have to ask the hubby, he was all in!
We ordered (deciding to just have 2 out of the 3 items) and selected wine and waited in anticipation.
The first course arrived. Boar carpaccio covered with (white, squee!) truffles. There were truffles for days!
What does truffle taste like? Hmm, hard to describe. Personally, I think of it as if garlic and a very pungent mushroom had sex, the result would be a truffle, but that is just me!
While we were still marveling about the first course, the second arrived. It was a very simple pasta loaded with shaved truffles and black pepper.
At this point, I am just beside myself with happiness, maybe that is an effect of truffles, I am not sure. There was probably barely perceptible humming going on.
Mr. Misadventures and I barely spoke except to say how amazing it tasted. That and the fact we were glad we had not ordered the third course….steak with truffles on top…we were stuffed and satiated with the two courses and happy, happy clams.
We rolled out of there and back to our (still there) car and continued on our way. The taste of truffle lingers on the tongue and in the mouth for a very long time. For the next 8 hours, I tasted truffle in my mouth, as if there was food in my mouth at that very moment, I have to say it is an odd sensation.
We drove along nearly deserted roads taking in the rolling hills and gorgeous clouds.
The simplest building, farm, house, plot of land beckoned for us to and we imagined what retirement in this place would be like.
Under the Tuscan clouds.
Every photograph of the landscape looks painted by the hands of some higher being, it is remarkably beautiful.
I don’t think I can ever get tired of that view, but I won’t bore you with any more shots of green, green fields, blue, blue skies, and fluffy clouds! We wandered for hours and eventually started making our way to Montalcino.
Our plan was to explore the fort in town. And climb up for more incredible views of the countryside and that of the town itself.
After visiting, we walked through the town and as we were doing so it began raining so we ducked into a bar for a Spritz. Even drinking alcohol couldn’t kill the taste of the truffle!
The rain disappeared; the sun came back out to brighten the sky and we followed the Tuscan clouds back to Florence.
I promised no more Tuscan under the cloud photos, but how can you resist this?
How about you? Have you visited the Tuscan countryside? Is it on your bucket list?
Like it? PIN it!
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May 28, 2015
Loved my time in Tuscany! I must go back to see more of it. But I also noticed the amazing clouds. We went from clear blue skies to an ominous black cloud looming above us dropping huge hail. It was an amazing day!
May 28, 2015
I still can’t get over the blues and greens in your husband’s amazing photos but OMG, I wanted to lick the screen over those truffles. You NEVER see that much truffle on anything in the US no matter how many hundreds of dollars you are paying. Wow, that seems like a meal to remember.
May 28, 2015
Wow, now that is what I call a travel adventure. The pics are amazing, it really made the truffle come alive – of was that just me :).
Definitely a trip of a lifetime. Thanks for sharing your trip with us!
May 28, 2015
Every pic here is amazing! Truly beautiful 🙂
May 29, 2015
This wasn’t on my bucket list but it should have been and it is now!! These photos were extremely beautiful!! Add in the fact that they have amazing truffles and Im sold lol. You don’t see sleepy towns like that here in the United States so that would be a treat all in itself. Thank you for sharing your adventure!!
June 15, 2015
@Tom, glad you enjoyed it!
May 29, 2015
This trip is on my bucket list for sure. How could it not be? Just looking at the pictures has me daydreaming about living in one of those little houses on the hillside. Oh, this would be the life for me, I don’t think I would want to return!
June 15, 2015
@Christina, I hear you, it was tough getting on the plane!
May 29, 2015
Wow, that last photo is just stunning. I haven’t had truffles like that, either. More things on my list 🙂
June 15, 2015
@Jenna, our lists are ever-expanding!
May 29, 2015
Wow! Your photos are amazingly beautiful!! This looks like it would be the most peaceful and scenic trip ever!! This is definitely on my bucket list now! This is such a great blog post! Thank you for sharing your experience and stunning photos!! <3
May 29, 2015
Your photos are breathtaking!!! I love how clear the skies are and the scenery is amazing. I need to put Tuscan on our travel bucket list, the food also looks amazing as well as the wine.
May 30, 2015
i live in italy and unfortunatlly i have to tell you that still i didnt go to tuscan.Its is absolutly a great place to visit. i can see form pictures that you really liked the place and food.i hope to make it soon to go there.
June 15, 2015
@Brook, I hope you do, it is in your backyard!
May 30, 2015
Amazing I wish I was with you when you went to that place! I love the photos it is as if I am there also. The food and the place and I cannot seem to get enough of the scenery!
May 30, 2015
Ok, I seriously had to keep myself from licking the screen for the truffle carpaccio and pasta. Just happening into an amazing food experience like this is one of the reasons I travel.
June 15, 2015
@Brianna, it is the best thing in the world!
May 30, 2015
Seeing your photos brings back memories from my visit to Italy (Amalfi). Breathtaking and so dreamy. I am definitely looking forward to going back and checking out Tuscany, looks gorgeous!
June 15, 2015
@Norah, I have not been to the Amalfi coast yet, but I so want to!
May 30, 2015
Oh wow this place looks like a dream under the clouds. It’s a great retirement place for those who love privacy and being in the quiet. It’s also a desirable place to reflect on life and just be one with nature to appreciate the views and greens all over. I never knew this is how the Tuscan countryside looks!
June 15, 2015
@Rochkirstin, I would love to retire here, would be amazing!
May 30, 2015
I’m so jealous. These pictures are beautiful. I’ve never even been out of the US much less Tuscany lol, but I must admit, I am very intrigued by the garlic and pungent mushrooms lol.
June 15, 2015
@Amy, we have truffles in the U.S. too (West Coast, I am not sure about East Coast) you should try them sometime.
May 30, 2015
You weren’t boring me any with the shots of fields and blue skies! The pictures were wonderfully taken … bright and beautiful. I’d love to visit just to see the insides of these old buildings, especially the church.
June 15, 2015
@Tami, you can get lost for days, exploring every nook and cranny without running into anyone!
June 1, 2015
haha i love your description of a truffle! they did not skimp out on the truffles!! <3
June 15, 2015
@Esther, no they did not, I will be corrupted for all future truffle meals!
June 3, 2015
I love your pictures (and Tuscany!). unfortunately, on the day that we planned our side trip through Tuscany while in Italy it rained all day so I got no pictures. (we still managed a nice visit to a very friendly Verrazano vinery who made a special apple pie just for us to celebrate my parent’s 40th anniversary), Hopefully, I will come back one day.
June 15, 2015
@Victoria, oh I bet that was a VERY good apple pie!
June 7, 2015
So many gorgeous pictures. It doesn’t take much to make me want to get on a plane, but this one’s got me chomping at the bit. 🙂
June 14, 2015
@Rosey, so glad you enjoyed them, my hubby will be pleased!
June 7, 2015
I would love to go to Tuscany! All those wonderful places and oh! those truffles!
June 14, 2015
@Peachy, those truffles are STILL calling to me!
June 7, 2015
After seeing your post it is going to be on my bucket list now. What beautiful pictures and the food.. looks awesome too!
June 14, 2015
@Bonnie, it is a once in a lifetime trip!
June 7, 2015
My gosh – what beautiful images – including the meal! And no I have not visited the Tuscan countryside – and it is my on my bucket list!
June 14, 2015
@Donna, once you go there once, you will be drawn back over and over, a word to the wise!
June 8, 2015
Wow, look at that beautiful voew of the field. It makes me wants to breathe in all that fresh air that nature offers, so refreshing!
June 14, 2015
@Chubskulit, it was amazing, we were the only people for miles!
June 8, 2015
I never have visited there but I would love to . It looks so beautiful and peaceful. I would be in total “awe”. Definitely on my bucket list.
June 14, 2015
@Michele, awe is a great word, it is how I felt when I was there.
June 8, 2015
This place is so beautiful it looks unreal! I would love to visit and enjoy the foods and sights it has to offer.
June 14, 2015
@Melissa, I don’t know how people live there every day and not be overwhelmed, it is gorgeous!
June 8, 2015
I love all your images. The clouds are gorgeous. I need to find a truffle menu when we visit Italy in August. Yum!
June 14, 2015
@Dana, of you MUST, they are to-die-for!
June 8, 2015
This looks like a beautiful place to visit. and the food looks amazing. It is on my list of places I must see in person.
June 14, 2015
@Catherine, it is breathe-takingly beautiful! Yummy food too!
June 8, 2015
Everything about this post is so awesome! I am loving these photos and that meal looks really great!
June 14, 2015
@Krystal, thanks it was such an amazing trip!
June 11, 2015
Absolutely on the bucket list! I’ve been to Rome and Naples but regrettably ran out of time and missed out on Tuscany. After seeing your photos and reading your post I am with out a doubt convinced on making this a must see on my next adventure!
June 14, 2015
@Maria-Teresa, yes you absolutely have to go back!
October 28, 2018
[…] something quick to eat. What we ended up finding was one of the most memorable meals of my life. An entire meal of Italian white truffles, something I had not eaten before, I can still evoke the […]
November 15, 2018
[…] quotes. Wherever we travel we are attracted by trees, may it be the redwoods of California, the tree-lined Tuscan roads, or beautiful French […]
September 20, 2019
My soul yearns to go back there. The photos are beautiful and make me think I should rent a car on my next visit and take a road trip since I won’t be traveling alone.