Tuscany

Aug3
Tuscanny Tour. 2428P68 Booking#BR578811999 Departure 8:00 am Meet at CAF Tours Corner Piazza Stazione and Piazza Unita d'Italia Departure across street from Grand Hotel Baglioni Fabio got up early to make us a good breakfast before our big day, he makes the best cappuccino!
Travel buddies from Florida, Fort Meyers, the Supers, traveling in the opposite direction, they started in Naples two weeks ago. Two daughters are barrel racers so the motorhome, horse trailer stories. They did the cooking classes yesterday and highly recommend it, to learn pasta from scratch, hand cutting, cannoli,bruschetta, tiramisu.
Wish we had two or three more days in Florence to do it justice.
 Boulevard through residential zone, 6 km Oltrano , other side of the river, not many Florentians live in the historical centre, too expensive and you need a permit to drive your car in that section of town. UNESCO since 1886 1861 unification of Italy, 1865 Florence became capital. One hour ten minutes to Siena, UNESCO, 1995 medival city, 3 rd biggest city in Tuscany Horse races on July 2 and August 12 representing the 17 communities around Piazzla de Campo, main square, 10 minute walk Cathedral,biggest in Italy dedicated to Virgin Mary made of white marble, same stone Michelangelo used in his sculptures.
The bus stopped at 9:45, all 80 of us followed the yellow umbrella for ten minutes, then we divided off, the guided tour group and the free time group. We chose the free time group and followed our noses to all the spots the group of 70 went!
 The Duomo being the big highlight, better known to us as the cathedral. Very very impressive.
 This city of 6000 reminded me of our nights of camping in Verona, those steep stone streets!
 11:00 leave Siena from piazza del Campo and drive one hour to San Gigamnano, 36 degrees
 Lunch, antipasto, bruschetta, pasta and dessert at Ristorante Pippano, paired with wine each course Typical wine Vernaccia with antipasto Then Chianti wine with the pasta Vin Santo with the almond biscotti Named after a bishop Centre for parmesan cheese Saffron grown here
UNESCO 1990 Punta panoramic 2 main squares Bought magnetic spaghetti
 Leave at 3:10 for Pisa 1 hour 40 minutes away, 33 degrees
 Miles and miles and miles of sunflowers with their happy yellow faces smiling at us. Well! The guide tried to convince us that the tower was not leaning but that it had been designed in the shape of a banana. Really!! We were wowed by the architecture in the three buildings in the square but by golly, that tower is leaning!
 Return trip to Florence, home at 8, a little weary tonight, I think walking uphill on cobblestones in 36 degree temps may have something to do with it!
 Snackies on the rooftop patio and a repack for tomorrow's train to Cinque Terre. I realize I could have left half the contents of this meagre carry on suitcase at home! Certainly do mot need two long sleeve t-shirts and a sweater, nor the two pair of pants. What was I thinking? Although I do need to cover my knees and shoulders at the Vatican and the Basilica.

Sienna

San Gignamano

Lunch stop

then to Pisa