Pienza & Pecorino!

Pienza!   We are very excited to see this quaint, little gem and equally excited to sample and buy their famous Pecorino cheese!  It's going to be a great day!

A couple of views from Montepulciano as we head out…

Here's a view looking back at Montepulciano…

Driving through the Val d' Orcia is why we wanted to come here - it's exquisite

The rain has been spotty again today.  We can see it off to the left...

We arrive at Pienza!

It's beautiful!! ... and we can walk from end to end in about 10 minutes.

There's the beautiful church

And there are loads of wine & cheese shops :)

Pienza is famous for it's Pecorino Cheese - now that's something we can get really excited about shopping for :)

                                After much sampling :) we buy the one in the paper wrapping.

The whole wheel!

(I think we need some Brunello wine to go with that)

Pienza has a wonderful walkway around the outside of town.  

We need to work up an appetite for lunch after all that cheese tasting, so that should do it! 

Lunch is at, "Piccolo Mini Caffe."  We all get panini's and they are delicious

Panino con pecorino, salume e sott 'olio

(cheese, salami and pickled vegetables - sooo good)

 It seems like this guy was there every time I turned around in Pienza.   Sure, it is a small town.  Here, he's standing outside the restaurant while we were having lunch.  Why is he standing there?   He's got a pleasant smile and all….

But if I see him in the States, I'm calling 911