Pitti, Pasta and Wine

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 to a Tuscan home to make pasta by hand (ravioli and linguini), sing (thanks to Elva's merry heart- "When the moon hits your eye like a big piece of pie, . . ". ), eat and enjoy more good wine!

All in all a very fun day!  Thank you, Lord!!