The picture above is of my breakfast cafe - read later.
After my unplanned stay on Lake Tramiseno I decided to visit the nearby village of Castligoni. So glad I did as it was worth the extra 9 kms to see this friendly clean and not too touristy village with some interesting old buildings. . Although it did have the usual shops selling local wines, cheeses, pickles, truffles, honey and so on.
You were high enough to have a wonderful view over the lake.
I then went via a spa town hoping to get a dip in a thermal pool but I was told I needed a doctors letter to do so but I could have no end of beauty treatments.
So I drove on to Pienza. This attractive medieval village was built on the orders of one of the Popes and understandably touristy but nice. It is strange the apparently small villages have some terribly grand buildings.
I was chuffed to have managed 813 miles on one tank of diesel. More might have been possible but I couldn't risk it. In the event I has to pay €162 per litre.
Why sat nav took me right in the centre of Florence I don't understand but for half an hour I was going over the same bridge, under the same underpass and along the same roads. It was a nightmare as it was rush hour.
Eventually reached Montecatini Terme. Battled around the outskirts and then drove up a steep winding hill to reach my intended campsite. When the receptionist told me I would have to pay €26 I declined. I have found out since that you can have a double room in a hotel in town for €36 including breakfast.
Drove back down into the delightful town. You were spoilt for choice with places to park and I parked in a large car park outside the Belvedere hotel.
I could have parked under the trees in the park next to the exotic terme(for terme read thermal spa). I didn't because they were having a concert of operatic songs and also there is an amazing fountain sculpture which makes sounds like muffled church bells which I thought might irritate after a while. However I am staying there tonight.
I can hear a youth orchestra from Scotland practising for tomorrow's concert - sounds good. It is an elaborate location this circular pillared hall.
Earlier today I eventually had a dip in a thermal pool but within 5 minutes of a jet pool I discovered that my gold ring had vanished. Looked everywhere but can only imagine that the force of a jet had pulled it off my finger. It wasn't even loose as I certainly haven't lost any weight!
It is great being in this pleasant park that is not busy but used by a selection of people just relaxing.
The town has really chic shops but is not pretentious. There are pictures of stars that visited here in the belle epoch-Audrey Hepburn, William Holden, Grace Kelly and the Prince of Monaco. Also, Puccini frequented this lovely Spa town.
I have just walked in the town and a couple of the hotels have live music outside and people are dancing and some joining in in the pavement. Or, like me, walk along wiggling to the music.
Now the next morning, after walking Sacha in the park I had a tramps breakfast of bread and cheese on a bench.
However, I then wandered over to the palatial Tettucio spa. In amongst the colonnades a pianist was playing relaxing music. Then I discovered the cafe. Whatever the cost I thought I would have my morning coffee here. Well, I have just had my americano coffee and crispy cream filled croissant which came to all of €2.50.