Nonna Tours

Nonna Tours Small, private, guided tours of Italy.

Ultima Cena! One of the better meals in the past two weeks of very good meals! More on the new chef and the food later o...
10/01/2023

Ultima Cena! One of the better meals in the past two weeks of very good meals!

More on the new chef and the food later on.

One last picture of the four statues done by Michelangelo at 27 years of age!
10/01/2023

One last picture of the four statues done by Michelangelo at 27 years of age!

Final day of the tour was spent at the Duomo. Roberta, our guide for this whole past week, dragged up facts and figures ...
10/01/2023

Final day of the tour was spent at the Duomo. Roberta, our guide for this whole past week, dragged up facts and figures from her toes, and she answered every question posed to her. The Duomo is one of the more significant churches in Italy, in my opinion, not only for it's size, but because of the statues, the marble, the Picolomini library, and the carved inlaid marble floors.

The floors are generally covered, out of sight, protected from the public, but today they are open to be viewed!

Friday was Chianti country. As one of the group said, it's so easy to tell the difference between Tuscany and Umbria: th...
10/01/2023

Friday was Chianti country. As one of the group said, it's so easy to tell the difference between Tuscany and Umbria: they both have "hills" but in Tuscany they roll and in Umbria they go straight up!

Nevertheless, both areas are absolutely beautiful in their own rite.

Lunch was at Castello de Albola, but first was a tour of the cellars, the wine-making facilities, and the fantastic grounds of the estate. We tasted 2 whites, two reds and a Vin Santo.

Dinner was at il Pomodorino, the best pizza in town! A bottle of wine, a little beer, and a walk home to work off the day's calories. And, it certainly didn't hurt that the view from the top of the hill was of both the Mangia tower and the San Benedetto church, with a bit of the Duomo showing in the background.

So, Thursday we were in Pienza, and to me at least, Pienza is synonymous with Popes and pecorino! Pope Pius is the one g...
09/30/2023

So, Thursday we were in Pienza, and to me at least, Pienza is synonymous with Popes and pecorino! Pope Pius is the one generally associated with this town where the church will someday fall off of the mountain side into the valley below. It has been working in that direction for all of the years I have been coming to Pienza and at the slow rate it moves, it will be here for many, many years to come. But it sounds more dramatic to say that it will someday fall.

On the other hand, we have been visiting Cugusi Caseficio for years and nothing will get in the way of enjoying their cheeses.

The family originally was in Sardinia and 3 (?) generations ago moved to this area where they produce some of the tastiest sheep milk cheese ever. Lunch today was a tasting plate of a some of their finest.

On the way home, we saw Chianina cows in a field, the finest example I can think of right now of Farm to Table, since I had planned to dine at il Ghibelino for dinner.

Il Ghibelino is one of the best steak houses I have ever dined at. Their t-bone steak from this special breed is outstanding: tender, served almost raw, with a nice char on the outside. Served with roasted potatoes (al forno) and a mixed salad.

The best part of the evening was the parade that went right by our outdoor table. The Selva contrada was celebrating their recent Palio win, with all the noise an gaiety they could muster.

Deanna Coffin Ridgway these are for you! Nonna Gina's Pici alla Dado and Gnocchi alla Lella.
09/30/2023

Deanna Coffin Ridgway these are for you! Nonna Gina's Pici alla Dado and Gnocchi alla Lella.

Last night was the opera. I am still awestruck.
09/27/2023

Last night was the opera. I am still awestruck.

Last night was truly a joy for me: Italian Opera in Siena. It wasn't that I hadn't ever been to this opera house -- I ha...
09/27/2023

Last night was truly a joy for me: Italian Opera in Siena. It wasn't that I hadn't ever been to this opera house -- I had been there many times with tours in years past. It wasn't that I had never before sat in the front row -- Roberto generally managed to sit my group right in front. It wasn't even that I was familiar with most of the pieces -- I usually have heard the music before.

No, it was so special because of the people on the stage, the artists who sang with such skill. The soprano, Veronica, had the most wonderful expressions on her face as she sang with total abandon. And Pedro! OMG, the twinkle in his eye as he pranced around the stage. I have heard the opera The Barber of Saville 3 times before, but never have I heard Figaro sung with such precision and force!

And then Gianni, the pianist who sat precisely on the center of the bench, in the center of the keyboard, his hands flying back and forth and he literally banged that keyboard, and made wonderful, inspiring music come from it. He was amazing!

The best part was that I got to meet the 3 of them in person last night. What more could I ask?

From il Pellicano to Casamonti for lunch. Anna Rita and Raymond have not disappointed EVER with their selection of wines...
09/25/2023

From il Pellicano to Casamonti for lunch. Anna Rita and Raymond have not disappointed EVER with their selection of wines and the menu. First, a pasta from the region around Modena that reminds me of buccatini that has been cut into 2 inch pieces. The sauce was amazing, and consisted of homemade sausage, cream, and handfuls of Parmigiano Reggiano with peas. Then, a whole range of bruschetta, only some of which made it to the picture. Zucchini sautéed in butter with a few different spices that I actually liked, although I generally dislike zucchini.

A plate of tomatoes with mozzarella that tasted like real tomatoes, not the plastic variety we get in the States. A course of 25 month aged Parmigiano Reggiano with 25 year old balsamico from Anna Rita's private stock (she was born in the Modena region and it is truly a family heirloom). Tiramisu for dessert, and then we just rolled down the hill to the bus! The wine bottles are missing as is the fantastic olive oil we had with bread at the beginning. I just know that I'm missing something here, but...

If it's Monday in Siena, it must be il Pellicano!Our dear friend, Elisabetta Ricci, is a very special artist and she dem...
09/25/2023

If it's Monday in Siena, it must be il Pellicano!

Our dear friend, Elisabetta Ricci, is a very special artist and she demonstrated how she makes her beautiful pieces. She sits and talks with us about how it's done, explaining colors, glazing etc all while she paints. I am still amazed that she can do it, even thought I have seen her perform many, many times!

Somehow, Joanne and I managed to fall in love with a huge wall plate that will now grace the short wall over our heads in the living room at home. No picture, so if you want to see it, you'll have to wait till it is hung on the wall. Trust me, it will be worth the wait!

Sunday we headed to Siena to start week two of our Italian holiday! The afternoon was free and folks generally sat in th...
09/25/2023

Sunday we headed to Siena to start week two of our Italian holiday!

The afternoon was free and folks generally sat in the bar with an Aperol Spritz and chips! Then, a short walk to look around the city that will be very familiar before the week is done.

Dinner was at il Mangia, the restaurant in the Hotel Athena. There is a new chef here since we were here last and he didn't disappoint. I had planned ahead of time to serve the courses family style, so that everyone could have a little of everything served.

Grilled shrimp, cheese and salumi platter. Then came the pasta: open faced lasagna, maltagliati with a Tuscan ragu, ravioli with bacala, and pici cacio e pepe ( but it was gone too fast to get a pic).

For for dessert, there was a little surprise. Donna & Kenny were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. So, I ordered a nice chocolate torte, decorated appropriately. Their kids even called then during dessert to make it extra special!

Ultima cena!Duck with sour cherriesTempura of Tench from Lake TrasimenoSpaghetti with pistachio and chicoryBraised veal ...
09/25/2023

Ultima cena!

Duck with sour cherries

Tempura of Tench from Lake Trasimeno

Spaghetti with pistachio and chicory

Braised veal shank with chickpeas

The truffle: soft ricotta, truffles, white chocolate granita and olive oil ice cream.

Final cuddles consisted of a variety of home made chocolate treats and other nibbles to finish off dinner.

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Wednesday 11am - 5pm
Thursday 11am - 5pm
Friday 11am - 5pm
Saturday 11am - 5pm

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