Under the Tuscan Clouds – Roadtrip Through Tuscany
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 cast 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.
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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, but 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, or plot of land beckoned for us 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 the 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?
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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!
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.
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!
Every pic here is amazing! Truly beautiful 🙂
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!!
@Tom, glad you enjoyed it!
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!
@Christina, I hear you, it was tough getting on the plane!
Wow, that last photo is just stunning. I haven’t had truffles like that, either. More things on my list 🙂
@Jenna, our lists are ever-expanding!
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
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.
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.
@Brook, I hope you do, it is in your backyard!
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!
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.
@Brianna, it is the best thing in the world!
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!
@Norah, I have not been to the Amalfi coast yet, but I so want to!
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!
@Rochkirstin, I would love to retire here, would be amazing!
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.
@Tami, you can get lost for days, exploring every nook and cranny without running into anyone!
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.
@Amy, we have truffles in the U.S. too (West Coast, I am not sure about East Coast) you should try them sometime.
haha i love your description of a truffle! they did not skimp out on the truffles!! <3
@Esther, no they did not, I will be corrupted for all future truffle meals!
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.
@Victoria, oh I bet that was a VERY good apple pie!
I would love to go to Tuscany! All those wonderful places and oh! those truffles!
@Peachy, those truffles are STILL calling to me!
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. 🙂
@Rosey, so glad you enjoyed them, my hubby will be pleased!
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!
@Donna, once you go there once, you will be drawn back over and over, a word to the wise!
After seeing your post it is going to be on my bucket list now. What beautiful pictures and the food.. looks awesome too!
@Bonnie, it is a once in a lifetime trip!
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!
@Chubskulit, it was amazing, we were the only people for miles!
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.
@Michele, awe is a great word, it is how I felt when I was there.
This place is so beautiful it looks unreal! I would love to visit and enjoy the foods and sights it has to offer.
@Melissa, I don’t know how people live there every day and not be overwhelmed, it is gorgeous!
I love all your images. The clouds are gorgeous. I need to find a truffle menu when we visit Italy in August. Yum!
@Dana, of you MUST, they are to-die-for!
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.
@Catherine, it is breathe-takingly beautiful! Yummy food too!
Everything about this post is so awesome! I am loving these photos and that meal looks really great!
@Krystal, thanks it was such an amazing trip!
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!
@Maria-Teresa, yes you absolutely have to go back!
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.