Holiday in Tuscany



Tuscany Country Side



Richard had a holiday at his work Thursday,the 17th, it was Italy's 150 years union of all the regions.  So, we took vacation on Friday and took a 4 day weekend.   We made our base and hotel stay in Siena.   Our hotel was great, it had a pleasant garden overlooking the countryside. 

Siena is medieval city with narrow street and steep alleys. It is surround by a brick wall that was used to protect  people from attack from Florence.  

We vistited the Duomo, which is beautiful Gothic cathedral.   

The Duomo was built in the 13th Century



The inside ( they do not let you take pictures) of the Duomo is so awesome, words can not describe how beautiful it is.

Next, to visit in Siena is Piazza Del Campo, know as il Campo.

This is the town square with shops and cafes.  It also has their town hall there, gothic Palazzo Pubblico     People just sit and enjoy the square.  In July and August is Palio horse race.  They have had this race in the square since 1310.  It is race between the 17 neighborhoods.

                                                     Richard and I took off to explore the Chiani region.  The hills and vineyard and rolling green fields were out of a picture.  Everywhere you looked were vineyards and olive groves.  There was wineries everywhere.  We stopped at 2 to taste the wines and visit.  One man at the winery told us he just got back from Houston visiting with Specs and going to Rodeo.  How cool is that!  

Paladin Vigne E Vini

  Then we headed to Castello di Brolio, built around ad 1000 and owned by monks.  The new owners the Ricasoli have have possession since 1141.  We took a tour, then toured the winery, ending with of course wine tasting.

 Castle Church

Family members buried there

Another day we took a private guided tour with another couple to three small family owned wineries.  The region was Montalcino and it produces very strong sangiovese grapes.  The wine is called Brunello di Montalcino.  Regulations are they have to be made totally from that grape and age for at least four years.

We really learned alot about wine.  I have to tell you though, drinking wine and going up and down those hills don't mix.

It was great long weekend, but back to Rome.   For those who don't know the sites are wonderful, touring like on vacation great but living in a foreign country, there is no place like HOME!

USA, I want to come home!

One last picture of Siena streets....

We will be in Houston April 6, for how long I don't yet.  We are working on our Visa.

Until next time......................

Orvieto, Italy

Ciao!

Orvieto is a small town about an hour drive outside of Rome.  So, we decided to go Sat and have an overnight stay.  It is on a plateau rising 1,000 feet above the flat valley.  It is one of the oldest cities in the region.  This place was awesome!  Small narrow cobble stone street with shops, wine bars and restaurants.

It is also known for their Orvirto Classico vino made from grapes grown in the volcanic soil in the valley.  Our little hotel was charming and the breakfast was served in the cave below.  Also course our dog Harley went. I don't if I told you but dogs are allowed everywhere.  They even bring their dogs to the malls.

 We walked the streets and went to the main square and saw the duomo, church.  The church was just beautiful!  (see picture above)

After taken in the sites, we decided to try some of the vino.  Headed back to hotel with a bottle, which they let us drink in the lounge.  Of course Harley was in the lounge with us for the occasion.

The hotel suggested Le Grotte del Funaro for dinner.  The restaurant is down stairs to a under ground cave.  How neat is that?  Now you have to remember they speak very little English and I am Texan but we get by.

Side streets with shops etc...

After a restful night, we were up in the morning for little breakfast down in our hotel which was also in a cave like setting. The weather was overcast and raining, so we headed back to Rome.

This is a carving on the church.

Arrivederci!