More magical days under the Tuscan sun.

Everyone has really enjoyed being in Tuscany.  Spending time in beautiful San Gimignano is always a treat and everyone had a whole day to do just that.  It is easy to enjoy and there is a lot to see and do.  Several chose to get a little exercise and climb the Torre Grande, the tallest tower in SG.  Of course, there was also time to enjoy some delicious Tuscan food and wine.  Jeff and Marlene chose to take an excursion into the Brunello wine country with a visit to several wineries and the town of Montalcino.  Everyone definitely had time to savor the award winning gelato from the shop on our piazza. YUM!

On Saturday we loaded up the van and headed to another famous Tuscan hill town, Siena.  Everyone enjoyed our walking tour with a stop in the one of a kind, Piazza Il Campo.  Learning about the Palio horse race that takes place here two times a year was also fun and there was even a video to watch showing this exciting slice of Sienese history.  Then we visited inside the Siena Duomo, one of the most ornate in all of Italy.  This is on the outside and inside as well.  There was plenty of time to take in all the art that is inside to see such as sculpture by Michelangelo, Bernini and Donnatello.  The marble mosaic floors are truly stunning and we were lucky enough to be visiting while they are all uncovered for viewing.  It took over 100 years and 40 different artists to create these masterpieces.  Everyone then had some time to grab lunch or shop or just sit in Il Campo and watch all the people enjoying a beautiful Saturday afternoon.

Then we moved deeper into Tuscany, almost to the border of the region of Umbria.  If you have never seen the movie, "Under The Tuscan Sun", then you are missing a wonderful adventure in the town of Cortona.  We made our own visit to Cortona, which is actually a very old city with Etruscan roots and a 2500 year old wall.  It is a small town that is perfect for a short visit where you can find never-ending views over the surrounding countryside and Lake Trasemieno. 

Our overnight destination was just outside Cortona at Borgo Il Melone.  This one-time farm estate is today a beautiful hotel where you can feel as though you have stepped back a bit in time.  We enjoyed some relaxation on the terrace with local wine and Italian chocolate.  We also had dinner in the hotel restaurant which was also very good.  I think we may have driven the poor owner a bit crazy, but the meal was delicious.

On Sunday morning everyone had some time to take in the pretty surroundings of Borgo Il Melone a bit before we moved south into the region of Umbria, known as the "green heart of Italy".  We made a stop in the grand Umbrian hill town of Orvieto.  This is another one of those places that is just hard to believe exists where people live life everyday without a second thought to living in one of the prettiest places on earth.  We started with a visit inside the Orvieto Duomo built because of a miracle in the 13th century.  The church facade is stunning, as well as the San Brizio Chapel inside which was painted by Luca Signorelli in the 15th century.  His representation of the "last Judgment" is very impressive.  Everyone then went on the Orvieto Underground Tour which was enjoyed very much.  Finally, we stopped for lunch at Trattoria Tippica Etrusca where Solomon and Averino welcomed us with open arms.  What a wonderful time at the table!  There was time for a wine tasting of the Orvieto Classico white wine, which was enjoyed by all.  Then as the Umbrian dishes appeared, there were plenty of oohs and ahs.  It was another delicious meal with friends in a perfect setting.  It was hard to say farewell to Soloman and Orvieto.  I know that everyone could have spent more time enjoyed this very special hill town.

But, it was time to head to the Eternal city of Roma.  A visit to Rome, the capital city of Italy is on many a "bucket list".  We made our way into the heart of the historical district to our hotel, Pace Helvezia.  Everyone's first view over Rome from the hotel's fantastic rooftop terrace is always fun for me to see.  It is truly jaw-dropping.  Although I know that everyone was pretty tired, we took a little walking tour through the heart of Rome.  We finally stopped for a drink in Piazza Navona.  This pretty piazza with Bernini's "Fountain of the Four Rivers", is always lively.  It was a great spot to begin our adventures in this amazing city.  I will return soon to tell you about our time in Roma.  Ciao, Suzan