Casale Gregoriano San Gimignano

We arrived from Lucca just in time for a sublime sunset... it was like the sky was on fire!! See photos!!<br>I was a bit pooped so I opted to stay in the scoobs reading and relaxing while Kim headed into the village to scope it out. <br>Next morning started with a beautiful sunrise which was quickly replaced by some storm clouds. Fortunatly the storm passed over without parting with a drop of rain and we had sun again when we both headed ...

... and geleta, i.e. ice cream. We are back at the room and packed for our final place to see tomorrow as we head by train to Cinque Terre. We are staying on Manarola and think it will be an easy train ride and a wonderful view. We will attach pics tonight and then sometime tomorrow attach some video to show you the parade in the square with people on stilts.<br>Hugs and Kisses<br>Mick and Lisa<br>XXX<br>OOO

... him questions about taking pictures without flash. He said we could not and then started rewinding the tape to see what we were doing in the church. We left quickly. We then went to a meat market that was named in Rick Steve's book that has the original owners and is suppose to be really good. We went in and they had cheese on the top of the counter like Schnucks and stuff when they are giving samples so I reached for a piece and it was a womans in ...

... through that particular medium. In addition to sculpture, the City's architecture also reached back to try and capture the spirit and skill of the ancients. The Duomo was the first dome of its kind built in 1000 years, and Brunellechi studied Rome's Pantheon in preparation for his crowning achievement. <br><br>In addition to providing us with a great tour of the Uffizi, Rick Steves also put together a fantastic walking tour of the ...

... for a few weeks whilst i went back to work<br>Belgium to pick up batteries from my dad as the originals were shagged<br>Luxembourg<br>Swizterland<br >Italy<br>Lake Maggiore (most expensive)<br>Cremona<br>Cecina Tuscany where we parked up again whilst i worked

... trash heap, and the museum of ancient Etruscan artifacts from the city and its surrounding area, which held relics so old they made the Roman aspects seem almost modern. The city is renowned for its rich heritage of alabaster stone working, and you could see items made from the material in almost every shop.<br><br>From there we took our two tour buses up to San Gimignano, famous primarily for its collection of towers. We didn't spend as much time as I would've ...

... area was once all terraced with rock retaining walls but had been allowed to revert to forest, pine, oak and bramble undergrowth. An hour into the walk the track meandered through vineyards that filled the narrow terraces on what were very steep hills. Apart from a very old church Volastra offered only houses and one restaurant (kitchen closed = "bugger off"). After the village the path headed downhill (1,000 steps ...

... personal story of becoming a painter when really women werent allowed to. The Bacchus painting by Caravaggio the one where he is enjoying good wine is good example of what to do while in Italy. We are tired and taking a break before meeting with a Four Seasons friend of Heidi who is helping with the pre-opening of their new hotel here. I am going to attempt to upload some pictures today so I hope you check them out.

... at a small trattoria, and the kids had gelato in the main piazza where they hold the famous Palio horse race. Of course, the kids have had gelato every day, sometimes twice. And we have had vino every day (and sometimes twice). Later today we are planning on a drive into wine country, where we hope to take a vineyard tour (with a little tasting, of course). PS A word about "the baby". The one thing that ...

... the bar called Central Station around 12:45 am and we had to pass the train station. We pasted a bunch of drunk Moroccans drinking 40 oz beers and yelling a lot. It was kinda like walking past a bunch of blacks in a downtown bus stop...a little scary. I said to the guys, "Just don't make eye contact." then Ian said, "or mention the Koran or the Afganistsan war." I lost it. Ian said, "They will have us on kabobs over the pit.... Honkeys, the other white meat." That guy is so funny ...