We are officially Under the Tuscan Sun

This morning Kate and I made our way to the train station in Florence where we literally had to RUN our asses on to the train to catch it in time. The man who sold us our tickets failed to tell us that he was selling us tickets for the 11:09 train and not the 11:32 train. Jerk. The train ride went pretty smoothly as we only had one transfer and Cortona is only about an hour and a half from Florence.

Once we got to the bottom of the hill (Cortona sits on top of a hill) we had to find bus tickets for the bus that would drive us up, which was quite a feat being that for some odd reason all the tabacchi's (liquor stores) were closed at 1:00. We didn't quite understand. However, like usual, we rule and were successful.

Our hotel in Cortona is super cute. The room is all white, tan and cream and the bed is super comfy! We cannot wait to fall asleep tonight! And the shutters close all the way which will keep the room dark so we can sleep in!! An added bonus...the shower is almost normal size and it has a HUGE shower head, not one of the typical European dinky little things that you have to hold above your head with one hand while attempting to lather shampoo into your scalp with the other hand. We both plan on taking very long showers tonight!

After checking into our hotel, we had to get straight over to the trattoria for lunch before it shut down for siesta. Katie and I decided to be brave and ordered some bruschetta. Yes, we know lots and lots of people like it, but we are not typically fans of tomatoes. It was totally delish! And we also spit some delicious tagliatelle ragu.

After lunch since everyone else was going home to nap, we thought we would nap too (insert Mitch Hedberg joke here). Our nap turned into reading, watching music videos and chatting with the momma on the phone.

Around 5:15 we headed out to see some of Cortona before grabbing dinner. Cortona has some very steep hills, that needless to say, are killing our legs and butts. But, we decided that we would do some lunges up them for some added exersize. It helps us justify our gelato eating and gives us perky butts. We walked down the hill outside of the city walls and around to some churches and then back into town to search out dinner. For dinner we were also brave and got gnocchi with zucchini and safron and a gorgonzola and pear pizza. They were both really good, but too heavy.

After dinner, we meandered a bit and then headed off to the hotel to shower and get into our comfy bed. Tomorrow we are going to see all of Corton and maybe taste some local wines.

Well off to sleep now. Well post lots and lots of pictures tomorrow.

P.S. I know that all we do is talk about food, but food is just so important in Italy.

P.P.S. Today I tasted a white truffle honey. Umm... OH MY GOD! I am so buying a jar tomorrow.

These 2 old men were sitting in these seats when we got to our hotel this afternoon. We are now going to bed at 11:00 and they are still sitting there!

Cortona

View from where we ate dinner

I love the clouds!!