Burlingham2017Italy&France

It is another beautiful day in Florence.  It begins with a sunrise from the tower at our hotel followed by a walk around the city.  (This would be Steve--Elva is still sleeping!) Everywhere it seems to offer an inviting vista:  from the river... from the Piazzale Michelangelo.... and the Duomo.  Steve enjoys the cool air and the "no crowds" of the morning..--it's early and the air is cool and no one's there except the street sweepers . . .and one amazing building after another. Then it is off to the Pitti Palace which is filled with master artworks and antiques plus the Boboli gardens. In the afternoon, we met a fun group and were driven on a showery afternoon to a small vineyard in the Chianti countryside to begin our wine and cooking tour. The wines included vintages of DOCG Chianti plus a wine that is sold directly from the barrels by the liter (young but very versatile), all which were nice wines. Then off t...

Rain last night led to breezy and comfortable morning.  We woke to sun shining and birds singing to see the beautiful countryside around Castellina in Chianta.  Beautiful! Leisurely morning:  We strolled through town, saying "BonJourno" to everyone and even saw a butcher at work, showing his son how to attack a slab of beef. And Elva located her gelato (happy) bench where she enjoyed many a gelato with Peggy Then on to Florence--what a contrast!   Thankfully, not too warm, but full of tourists and crowds wandering the street. So we had to take the car into a restricted zone to find our hotel--grateful for a GPS which got us within about 40 yards--then getting out to turn the car in took many twists and turns but we made it and got the car turned in.  Driving in Florence was like being a pawn in a traffic chess game.  I still think it was more God's help than the GPS to get us to the car return spot!!  We walked back to o...

Had our last morning in this cute town. Walked all around the town identifying its old gates and the four quarters (Ruga, Paniello, Travaglia, Borghetto). It will be hard to say goodbye to Montalcino and its beauty.   Yes, there are cactus in Tuscany!!  We ate breakfast one last time at a lovely window overlooking the Tuscan landscape. Then off to Castellina in Chianti, thanks to the Gubtiz's who showed us this little gem a couple of years ago. Got here just before a cooling shower.    Here's the view of the Chianti countryside from our window at Hotel Palazzo Squarcialupi.  As you can see, Chianti is much more rolling and hilly than the lower parts of Tuscany.  Another beautiful spot!! We had pizza for lunch at a place right across the street!!  It was a throwback from when Peggy and Gary and us had it a few years ago at the same restaurant.  It was yummy then, as I remember it, and it was still yummy!!! ...

Steve explored Northern part of city and Ruga and Paniello quartieres Took this nice video of the view toward the north and east - the Valley of the Orcia river. After breakfast, we relaxed and then tasted at Altesino  (it's their 40th year and ours!)  and, after a nice experience (pricey at 15 E per person) drove back to Montepulciano to retrieve my phone. Stopped to see the grand Renaissance church at the base of the city. (Elva left her phone there Which We retrieved soon :) Thankfully, cooler, much less crowded and ended up dining (lunch) at the same place as yesterday (Caffe Poliziano) but with beautiful view. Late afternoon, strolled around, had some juice, pizza and, of course, to conclude gelatos (can not get enough of the chocolate mint.) :)

Rose with the sunrise and walked the southern half of this pretty city.  Got some great shots but they are on my phone and I left my phone in Caffe Poliziano in Montepulciano so will post these later today after we return to fetch it. Nice breakfast  Off on Rick Steve's tour of the Heart of Tuscany Road trip.  Enjoyed Pienza--bought a watercolor, tasted some peccarino cheese Lovely view of Mt. Amiata, the tallest peak in Southern Tuscany. This palazzo was used in the 1970's version of Romeo and Juliet saw old medieval romanesque church (1100 or earlier) in comparison with Pope Pius II's renaissance church.  Very different!! And walked the original "Lover's Lane."  Elva adds, "Here is the love of my life: Then drove through Monticchiello but went to Multepulciano for lunch.  Had simple picis at Caffe Poliziano.  It was hot.  Then home and dinner at ...