Day 26 - Tue 23 Sep 25: Castelbrando to Montecatini Terme

Tue 23 Sep 25: Castelbrando  to Montecatini Terme 

We left Castelbrando at 0930, driving 353km SW to Montecetini Terme, in Tuscany about 50km west of Florence. Famous for its mineral springs, Montecetini Terme is regarded as one of the great spa towns in Europe. There are 11 thermal springs in the area around Montecatini Terme, with temperatures ranging from 24 to 33.4 degrees C. On the way we had 2 stops; a coffee stop and a light lunch before reaching our hotel, the Grand Hotel Francia & Quirinale at about 3pm. After checking into our rooms, we went out for a wander to get our bearings then returned to shower and change for another short bus drive into the Tuscan countryside for dinner at a local olive oil farmhouse estate. Wow... what wonderful food, and much more than you could possible hope for. Starter was a charcuterie platter (cold meats, cheese, chicken liver pate, bruchetta, bolognaise, olives, pickled red onions and, and, and..., then a traditional local hare ragout with parpaddelle pasta for entree followed by a medium rare cooked T-Bone large enough to share between 4 people with roast potatoes, mushrooms and borlotti beans, all accompanied with the the farmhouse produced olive oil and each dish served with matching farmhouse produced wines. Desert was biscotti dipped in a farmhouse produced sherry. It was another late night, with far more food and drink than necessary, but a damn nice - a great night was had with good company. We arrived back at our hotel at 10pm, and our thoughts immediately turned to the early 8:30 departure for a day trip to Florence tomorrow. 


Farewell Castlebrando - a wonderful experience

My favourite colour - Ferrari green at our coffee stop

Pretending (wishings) it's mine

Afternoon walk around Montecatini Terne 

Afternoon walk around Montecatini Terne 

Afternoon walk around Montecatini Terne - Town Hall

Afternoon walk around Montecatini Terne

Afternoon walk around Montecatini Terne

Afternoon walk around Montecatini Terne

Afternoon walk around Montecatini Terne

Dinner at an olive oil farm / winery

Learning about the various products. A wonderful night











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