Castello di Montegonzi Greve

... for our walk through the walled village. There is a 14th century fort with make up part of the walls. Today it is used as a prison - your not supposed to take photos of it, but I snapped a couple off before I knew... luckily I was not spotted by the local polizi. The town was cute for sure but I'm not sure it deservered all the accolades given to it by other travellers we had met in Lucca. Having said that we did take more photos than usual.

... 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

Today was a wonderful day even though I know I called you Petey and I was crying again, but really it was a very relaxing easy day. We found the laundry mat for tomorrow and went to a place called St. Catherine which is where the first woman to be named a saint was in 1317. We were not suppose to take pics, but the guy in the gift shop was sleeping so I took video which you will see. When we went in the gift shop I had a camera around my neck and started ...

I hope this works, it has been hard to attach some of the video because it times out. FYI to all my not so computer literate friends and family. When you first open the video, it will start and then stop in the middle to keep reloading and then start and stop again. This can get frustrating but is necessary until it is completely ...

... s historical center. We began our one hour walk at the Duomo and finished at Ponte Vecchio. There were numerous sites in between providing details of Florence's political and social history. While the City itself was not as impressive as others we've visited on this trip, the sheer inspiration it provided for the rest of Europe to awaken from the Middle Ages made it well-worth a visit. Kate grabbed a delicious gelatto for the walk ...

... was probably 98 degrees or more), went to the plaza to stroll and shop (got some ceramics).  Then back to the farmhouse.  Rita and Lino came over and gave another cooking lesson.  Had cannelloni w/ a béchamel sauce, veal scallopini w/marsala sauce, ratatouille (zuchhini, eggplant, carrots, onions, tomatoes), and a pear and dark chocolate dessert.  We chatted again til almost 11pm.  I think that we will be going to Sienna and San ...

... the Hotel Saccardi Quadrante Europa, which is in the town of Casselle de Sommacompagna. It was more reasonable and we could get free wireless in the lobby. There was not a tub, but the shower was hot and the beds were comfortable. We had dinner in the hotel restaurant. I had an excellent cream of tomato soup and polenta with mushrooms and cheese. The soup was a broth-based tomato soup with cream, with very small pieces of onion and tomato. Polenta ...

... moving all tables and chairs and disturbing the other diners, we realised it had rolled down a crack in the pavement! The gap was wide enough to stick my hand down (taking some skin off in the process) and fortunately I could feel the hole led to a small cavity, the bottom of which I could touch. The canny waiter rounded up a torch and screwdriver and we pried the decking floor up. Lo and behold, amongst all the cigarette butts and other filthy **** I ...

... Its vast beauty is breathtaking, but the feat even more impressive. Hiking up a quiet street, the sun has parted the clouds and I stop in a small local market for picnic makings and some friendly conversation. My Italian is slim to none, but my dark hair and olive skin are often mistaken for local no matter where I go, and I shyly look up at the clerk with a blank stare. He switches to English for a moment, only to switch back over to Italian as we say goodbye. "Ciao," is easy enough ...

... I thought Piazza Signoria would have been empty after 1am, but the locals too realised this was a once off experience. They were there in their dozens having running snow ball fights across the Piazza. It was hilarious. You would be trying to take a photo, and then someone would take a pot shot at you from behind. In the morning, it was pretty clear that it was a decent fall. About 8 or so inches of snow fell overnight in ...