Albergo Ristorante Leon d'Oro Acqualagna

Sue

As we drove closer to San Marino, we all started saying, "Did she REALLY say "the NATION" of San Marino?? And that's exactly what it was: It's full title is "The Republic of San Marino". John will do doubt tell you of its history. It's set high on a mountain, with the most glorious view and was yet another treasure chest waiting to be opened for us! It was our nicest hotel by far - VERY upmarket! - and it was exciting to follow the ...

The Italian language is both beautiful and humble:

- Companion comes from "con pan" meaning “with bread”. Tuscans consider their companions to be those they share their bread with therefore.

- Rosemary is “rosmarino” or “rose of the sea”.

No program for the afternoon so we planned our escape to the beach by the pool. Whilst it is difficult to leave the pool adventure is a foot. Cagli was an option but the beach had the greater pull. about a 45 minute drive to Fano. Denis Hieke Mandy & I set off after lunch but the clouds were set to close in on us as we headed towards the coast.

Fano is a topical Italian beach resort town. I have never seen so many beach umbrellas and ...

We left for Urbino after breakfast for a quick trip (Birth place of Raffaello - painter) of course coffee & gelati was part of our plans with some sights thrown in.

Nice place and worth the trip. No time to view the museo a bit of a shame as there is a section with Rafael.

We had some great views going over the mountains going to/from Urbino. Mandy is handling driving the larger car just fine.

Ciao

We arrived in Ca Le Soure for our one week yoga retreat. I wasn't looking forward to it with my hip and back issues. The place is on top of a hill surrounded by fields of wheat & grape vines and olive groves. We also found a forest of oaks where they harvest black truffles.

The accommodation is cottage style and comfy, a separate building for breakfast, lunch & dinner all vegetarian style food and very tasty - difficult not to go back for seconds as there is ...

... going. Fortunately railroads were built in a more modern era. Sometimes I think that the glory that was Rome was nothing more than one giant construction project. Almost every town in the Balkans had at least one Roman bridge, the 'Rimski Most'. They're still standing, many of them. Almost no roads were built between the Roman era and the advent of the bicycle, except for the Inca Trail in another world unbeknownst ...

I can not understand why more people do not put this beautiful place on their list of places that must be visited...I feel in love with San Marino on our first trip and return there often. The Hotel Titano is located in a fantastic spot and makes the visit hassle free. Maybe that is what Ilike about it so much - it is stress free!

... view of this city who's streets are laid out like a spider web. On the first morning of my stay I wandered into the Piazza del Nettuno, to see the famous Fountain of Neptune, and there were student protests going on. I'm not exactly sure what the issue was, but it had something to do with recent changes that the government was making to the education system. While in Bologna I went to two museums, the Civic Museum of Archeology and the Civic ...

... this is simply a place of tranquillity. This would be our last day with Jo and Dan before they begin their way home - all be it still six weeks away, but they are taking a different route than us! All in all we think we have spent almost a month in their company, and the memories of our times together will last a lot longer. We ventured round the cobbled ...

Wow, Tuscany!! Of all the places that I have traveled this one is as advertised in everything I have read and seen. Amazing, just when you think you have seen the most beautiful panoramic you crest another hill and have topped the previous. After awaking and a light breakfast we toured the Castello di Gabbiano and vineyards, followed by a wine tasting that was more like drinking than tasting! This place ...