Day Four

San Gimignano was on today’s list but we kind of slept late. We took the Cabrio back to the rental place. Was sorry to see that one go! It was fun driving the ziggity-zagetty

Bought more wine (must never run out of wine!) and food! Wow the food from the grocery store was good and the deli was fantastic!

Eventually we hit the road, got lost, went thru a few alleyways in small towns, stopped at a rather unfriendly winery in Castellina, got lost some more and then eventually made it to San Gimignano. I thought it might be a real test for Allison’s foot but it turned out not to be a problem. She walked farther than Grace and I!

The food in San Gimignano was wonderful and the walled city was beautiful (first of several walled cities we visited) it dates back to the 2nd century BC and therefore is older than any city or town in America. Full of history and Renaissance culture, architecture and art, we enjoyed walking thru the streets and piazzas. And then surprise:

Drummers and more drummers, as young as ten and as old as sixty-five or so. Just wonderful!

Day Three

Nicholas really was wonderful! Found us a rental car in Gaiole and we were off. Oops, we need gas…how do we use the automatic gas station/dispenser that has instruction in Italian? Oh well, we got it and drove the back road (Rt. 222 better known to us as the “wine road”) most of the way to Florence.

I simply don’t have words to describe how beautiful was the landscape, vineyards, and villages. The winding road forced the driver to pay attention to driving but sometimes, you just had to slow down or stop to gaze around. Each new turn or crest in the road brought a new vision of beauty. From some of the higher hills, we could see for many miles.

Eventually we arrived in Florence and picked-up the new car. Florence dates back more than two thousand years and was considered the center of Italian art, architecture and culture. After finding the best parking spot of the entire trip we walked thru the Boboli Gardens behind the Pitti Palace. At its highest point, it overlooks the entire city of Florence. We didn’t want to leave…

Please note that most museums in Florence do not permit you to carry any dangerous weapons into the museum (including swiss army knives). They’ll keep it for you but don’t be late coming back to pick it up. When the office is closed, they don’t like having to go back to get a stupid tourist’s checked dangerous weapon.

We came back to the villa and over greedy and wine, told each other of our day’s travel. The others went to Sienna. We weren’t able to do it every evening but hearing the stories of where everyone went and looked at the pictures they brought back was always my favorite time of the day.

Observations:

The first wine of the day was often the best.

You learn a lot about yourself when you’re away from home.

Sharing unhurried meals will make even me eat more slowly.