Castello della Paneretta, Chianti Classico Reserva 2011

Castello della Paneretta, Chianti Classico Reserva 2011 - a wonderful wine, purchased from Marks & Spencer. Sangiovese and Canaiolo grapes from vineyards overlooking town of San Gimignano. 14.5% ABV. Deep ruby colour. Flavours of ripe cherries, mocha and wild herbs.

Florence - May 2014: Gelato

The gift of gelato

The gelato (ice cream) was incredible - a mix of the creamiest ice cream and the most refreshing and fruity sorbet. A perfect luxury for the heat of Florence and it seemed to be available everywhere - but good gelato is not cheap!

I tried to stick to strawberry gelato, which was so incredibly refreshing. I did try it from many different outlets and was never persuaded to change my decision. Each time the offering was just so good. I can still remember the taste as I write this - how I wish you could get such ice cream in Britain.

Gelato as 'street food'... in Britain we have kebab is offered... at the end of the evening. But here...

Ristorante food .... three delicious flavours of gelato. A truly balanced dessert.

Florence - May 2014: Caffe

Caffe in Florence

What better place to savour a coffee then the beautiful city of Florence.

Wonderful cakes and pastries in Florence.

There was excellent coffee, even at a small caffe. Here in the gardens of the museum in Fiesoli, outside Florence.

One of my favourites, a small caffe in the market in Florence. The barista/owner was very theatrical, serving all the customers and doing all the work at incredible speed. A great place to get an espresson on the run.. in the busy market.

A more leisurely espresso to conclude a meal. This one was at the Ristorante Pizzeria Santa Felicita.

A wide variety of coffee cups.

Espresson and latte.

 More latte, more espresso....

An espresso (and grappa) at the end of an evening.

Austrian coffee!

Grappa (and espresso)...

Florence - May 2014: Trattoria Bondi

Trattoria Bondi

A simple lunch in the Florentine sun.

Pizza at its most simple and delicious.

"There is a difference" - the English menu version.

A bright and colourful trattoria amid the street bustle of Florence.

Pizza and a glass of wine....

We loved the effect of the bright simple colours, lively in its street setting.

And of course classic espresso to finish.

Florence - May 2014: A Florentine picnic

A picnic in Florence

Staying in a hotel and dining in wonderful restauant is a blessed experience but so is buying and tasting local foods. On this visit to Florence the nearest we came to diy was a picnic. But this was Florence, so it was no ordinary picnic.

Chianti Classico for the picnic, not the wine everyone would have chosen but it suited the location and occasion.

The rooftops of Florence are magnificently interesting. The hills beyond Florence contribute to its unique setting and climate.

This was a last moment picnic but all the better for it.

Florence - May 2014: Enoteca Bevo Vino

Enoteca Bevo Vino

After walking back down the hill from the Piazza Michelangelo and all those magnificent views over the city of Florence, this was a most welcome place to stop on a very warm day.

The simple decor was something different here. Perhaps we are more used to the recycled look - in Florence it seemed more unusual

Most welcome beer on a very hot day.

I loved the wine shelving that ran the length of the building on one side. The shape of the room and the entrance was rather reminiscent of railway arches - long and thin and underground. Seeming to be underground it was a cool spot when we visited.

Florence - May 2014: Florence Market

Florence Market

I had to visit Florence market, even though we were staying in a hotel and could not really buy anything meaningful. I'm sure the stall holders spotted that we were yet more tourists just looking and not buying their wonderful produce.

Do not touch!

Organic Sicilian sun dried tomatoes. It would be so easy to take the whole barrowful away!

Cheese..

The incredible Caffe' el Mercato di Cubattoli Roberto

Fine Florence meat, including their famous cuts of steak.

I wish I had taken a van - it would have been worth driving across Europe for these superb products...

Wild boar salamis etc.

As always, I visit the fish stalls and spend time looking at each fish....

Florence - May 2014: Ristorante Santa Felicita

Ristorante Santa Felicita

I still remember the taste of this wonderful dish of past with clams. So simple yet so full of flavour - a true classic dish. Eating this pasta for lunch in a small ristorante in a little square in busy Florence - it was a memorable lunch.

This Rosso di Montalcino was a perfect match. Good wine at a sensible price.

More wonderful pasta - well executed.

I had to have some tiramisu...

And there was gelato....