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.
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