I’ve just returned from my close friends Cam and Nicki’s wedding in Tuscany. What an absolutely beautiful place. Had such amazing time and really did not want to leave! Stunning weather, rolling hills, simple flavoursome food, great friends and definitely no shortage of wine. What else do you need?!
We were staying at Sant’ Antonio, a converted 12th century monastery near Montepulciano. Sant’ Antonio is owned and run by Nico, by far the nicest and most helpful chap in all of Italy! Nico and his team went over and above the call of duty so many times to ensure the week went perfectly. If you’re looking for a great place to get away for a week I can whole heartedly recommend checking with Nico and seeing when he has availability (the place is usually booked out well in advance).
Here’s me and Nico. Points for guessing which ones which 
The town of Montepulciano has a festival once a year which involves a parade, bit of flag throwing and a barrel race, where teams of 2 push a barrel up hill around the town centre.
After the barrel racing there’s lots of drinking
Before the late night walk home…
If I was to move to Italy, I’d have to buy a dog
Though not sure it’d be getting my gelati…
Everything is so effortlessly picturesque. Was actually pretty hard to take a bad photo.
I love the layers of hills in this pic
Interesting window in Siena
Of course while we were there we had to do a bit of wine tasting. Here’s our adorable wine expert Martina giving us the tour of Ciacci Piccolomini D’Aragona.
Their Pianrosso (a 2003 Brunello) is absolutely superb.
Now as for the actual wedding itself that we were all there for, unfortunately don’t have any photos to share. I was best man so couldn’t carry a camera! Here’s me and Paul, another good mate who was MC for the wedding. This is a few hours after the wedding and Paul had just been for a midnight swim the crazy man.
The next day we did a sneaky shot for the bride and groom with our place holders from the night before. Nicki (the bride) had made one up for every guest for the wedding, complete with a silly pic on the outside and menu on the inside. Such a cool idea to make things a bit more personal.
Paul and Michelle at sunset
So yes Tuscany is an absolutely magical place. Will no doubt be heading back there again. To finish, here’s the sunset from Sant’ Antonio on our last night (which of course a group of us had to share a couple of bottles of red together as we watched it happen). What a perfect way to end a perfect week.
Congratulations Cam and Nicki and thanks for having me as your best man. Seriously an honour.
Dear Damian,
Thank you very much for the photos which are absolutely magnificent – you have a real magical eye for detail. Thank you for your kind comments but not too sure about the nicest and most helpful chap in Italy… with Sicilian blood – not everyone thinks the same!
It was a great week and a real pleasure to have met you all from different corners of the globe and organising this memorable wedding with 2 fantastic people – Nicki and Cam.
Even all the wines shops and producers in Montepulciano were happy – together you managed to empty quite a few cellars!
Thank you once again and I hope – “A presto”.
Grazie –
Nico
Mate – thank you so much for everything from the photos right up to your best man duties (the speech included
)
We were gutted we couldn’t get you to be the official photographer but so much happier having as my best man.