Cortona

Yesterday, a few of us headed over to Cortona (twenty minute train ride) for a wine tasting. Since a lot of us have never been there, we decided to leave Arezzo around 12:15 to go explore and get some lunch. Cortona is the most beautiful place in Tuscany hands down. For those of you who don't know, Under the Tuscan Sun (couldn't find the underline button) by Frances Mayes took place in Cortona. The view was spectacular and we were blessed with such a gorgeous day. We took the bus up to Cortona, had a great meal (I had a mac and cheese type thing, a salad, and some vino), and took the bus back down to meet the others. Bus drivers in Cortona like to think that pushing the accelerator down a hill is how it works. We were literally careening down a very steep hill, and we all thought the brakes were out/we all thought we were going to die. But luckily the only thing damaged was his side mirror.

My first wine tasting was awesome. Benedetto, the owner's son who is in his late twenties and super handsome, gave us a tour of the vineyard, the pet falcon, and then the awesome wine tasting/olive oil tasting. We tried three different wines, all amazing (third one was the best, yes I bought a bottle, and yes I'm saving it until I go home.) Along with the wine tasting, there was awesome salami, awesome bread, and great cheese. It was just a perfect perfect day.