Chianti and shopping

Today was a day spent on the road.  We took the kids shopping and also to an old haunt of ours. It was a great drive through Umbria and Tuscany to get from where we are staying to Montevarchi which is near to where we first stayed the first time we came to Tuscany in 2002.  Back then we had no children and visited with two friends. Sadly due to an issue with my driving on that holiday we had a major falling out with one and no longer see her, but the other we keep in touch with a lot.  Anyway then we went to the outlet stores and back then there were bargains to be had.  To be fair we have not been back at the same time of year but the outlets have changed a lot, which is good for them and great for those who can afford to shop in them now but is not as good for us!

We went to another old haunt, Ristorante le Vigne near Radda in Chianti a place we visited more than once in 2002 and liked it so much we stayed there in 2003.  We did return with our daughter in 2006 and the staff recognised us and took great care of our little one.  Coming back here was great and not so great.  The views are amazing and the memories are to be treasured but it is under new management and we appeared to be unlucky.  Our waitress when we arrived was abrupt and a touch rude but the others who served us were great and in keeping with the reviews on TripAdvisor but our food was nothing compared to that of our memories but more importantly not up to the standards of the food we have had so far.  It was much better than our mediocre lunch in Gubbio but I doubt we will return.  My wife though has found out that the chef that used to work there is elsewhere and we may visit during this holiday.

Anyway a bit more shopping and back to Santa Chiara for a much needed rest for us all.