Hair, Roads, Baths, Roads, Hills, Christmas Markets

 Before leaving Australia we intended to both have a haircut, however, time just got away, and we weren't able to fit it in. So with some help from our friend Rosalinda we were able to book in at the Ladys Salon and also at the Barbers in Castiglion Fiorentino. 

It is little experiences like these that mean so much to us, Yes the attractions are well worth the attention received but it is such an insight for us when we take time to slow down and travel like locals.

I entered the Barber and Rosalinda was able to give some instructions to the barber who said he didn't speak English. I also realised this was not any male barbers, this place also had a sink where they washed the customer's hair!

Anyway keeping with the theme of travelling like a local, I had my hair washed, hair clippers, a razor around the edges and a trim to the beard. It was the longest, but most thorough barber experience I have ever had. 

I then went and did a self-tour of the supermarket, I love these places when overseas, yes we have the same products, but there are many differences.  Italy has an entire aisle committed to pasta, but only a few shelves for breakfast cereal. Italy sells prosciutto ham, hanging in the deli area, just grab an entire leg and use your meat slicer at home. There is much less beer, but both beer, wine and spirits are just in the aisles like all the other products, not in a separate bottle shop like home. 

By now Katie had completed her makeover and we were both impressed with her hair, she looked fabulous. 

Our next stop was a place I had been meaning to visit many times Bagno Vignoni, the place of a hot spring. 

This has hot water coming from the earth, filling a large man-made lake and then being channelled through the village to a stream. 

Lunch was also had here where we had some local cheese with plain honey and truffle honey drizzled over, followed by a rectangle pasta in broth (pasta had a similar filling to tortellini) and I had a ragu pasta.  All meals were amazing, and we also had excellent wait staff. 

From here, it was to Montepulciano where we walked up, up and up the main street till we reached Piazza Grande and attended the Christmas Market and a Brunello de Montechino wine tasting. A bottle was also purchased, but I doubt it will make it home!

Finally, the sun was setting, and we headed back home to LaMaesta.