The Wine Truck

Looking out the window of our apartment during our 2012 trip to Florence, Italy, what do we see but a wine truck making its deliveries!

Of course there would be a wine truck! After all, it's Italy!

I wonder if I can convince the wine man to make a delivery to Arizona.

Ciao!  : ))

Dario the Butcher

If you’re in Tuscany, make time to visit the small town of Panzano, about a 1.5 hour drive south of Florence. As towns go, it’s a small Italian town like many others.  Why, then, would you go? For the butcher, of course! Yes. The big tourist attraction in this little town is – the butcher.

Dario Cecchini's macelleria, or butcher shop, stands in the same site as his family’s shop that was destroyed during WWII. In his shop, you can buy unusual cuts of quality meat and you can also be educated and entertained because, not only is Dario an excellent and creative butcher and a cook, but he’s also a one-man show. From his “stage” behind the counter Dario entertains his audience with smiles, conversation, information, loud friendly bantering…and he sings too.

Dario has come from a long line of butchers in Panzano - 600 years long.  Some say Dante Aligheri and Leonardo da Vinci both bought meat from the Cecchini butchers. Dario, himself, has been a butcher for 38 years.

Besides his personality, Dario’s specialty is quality cuts of meat and prepared dishes. A favorite of visitors is his seasoned lard pig’s head. That's right - lard! For tourists, a little dab of the lard spread on a crust of bread is heaven.

Late afternoon Dario's energy is at its height and the crowd thickens. Out come the appetizers and wine and the fun begins. Still hungry? Hopefully, you've made a reservation at his restaurant above the shop, Officina Della Bistecca,  where the delighting of your tastebuds will continue.

An assistant prepares the goodies.

Dario and his wife, Kim, treat their customers like family and do what Italian families do - share food and wine and then, enjoy the pleasure of their company.

Ya gotta check out Dario's site, especially the videos!

Dario's Website

Sicily's Greek Ruins

Temple of Concord in Agrigento’s Valley of the Temples

Dating to the 5BC - It was converted to a Christian basilica in 6BC.

Sicily has some of the best preserved ancient Greek ruins, some even better than ones in Greece itself. Stunning ruins can be found in Agrigento, Segesta, Selinunte, Siracuse, and Taormina. Scattered around these areas are ancient temples, theaters, remnants of pillars, and figures. Walking right up to and sometimes into these structures is an amazing step back in time.

Model of Giant Atlas from the Temple of Olympian Zues in Agrigento

Each Atlas statue was 25 feet tall. Between each column of the Temple of Olympian Zues stood a colossal Atlas statue atop a ledge with arms upstretched and holding up the roof. There were 38 Giant Atlas statues in all. (See the model of the temple under the Atlas model.)

                                                            Teatro Greco, Taoromina, Sicily

It's believed this Greek Theater in Taormina is actually Roman but rebuilt upon the foundations of an older Greek theater. 

This theatre ruin is the second largest of its kind in Sicily (after that of Syracuse). It's in use, even today, for operatic and theatrical performances and concerts.

Ancient ruins in Sicily abound and are fascinating to visit. Wear a hat and comfortable shoes - bring plenty of water! And, of course, your camera is a must!