October 5th, Montepulciano to Bagno Vignoni, 34.4k

After our Italian breakfast we walked around Montepulciano, a town known for its wine (name excapes me at this time, but you can look it up). We enjoyed the fantastic views which are regarded as a UNESCO World Heritage area. We tasted some wine in town, got food staples for the day and departed after noon. We made an hour stop in the hilltop town of Pienza which originally was not on our agenda, but the view of the valley below from its vantage point was recommended. There we sat on the perimeter stone walkway and had caffe americano and talked with two women who were on their upteenth trip to Italy. After that we set out for Bagno Vignoni, a short trip. En route, we talked with a biking family from Australia who were travelling with a teen son and baby in diapers in tote. We are so amazed when we meet families like this who are so adaptable. What an education they are providing. We headed toward S. Quierco, where we searched for a room for the night. All were chiuso (this is an inside joke for us, as it seems everytime we need or are looking for something, it is closed). We decided to press on toward our sight destiination of Bagno Vignoni, where there are hot springs once used by the Etrucans, and other old folks of yore. Of course, today they are used by old folks of today. Italy is full of agriturismos (working farms where you can get rooms for the night) and bed and breakfasts (different from US b&bs). En route to Bagno, Elaine saw a B&B named San Buonoventura (the Italian version of our own home town, San Buenaventura). Even though it looked like nobody was home, she decided to walk up the gravel road and knock. And indeed they had rooms available. We checked in, unloaded our bikes and flew down to the baths, crested on a hill. A place for the hoighty toighty and not for budgets like ours, we just had a look. We went back home, ate in our room, and watched Italian TV before retiring.