Sangallo Park Siena

... Tuscan Villa, which is situated five minutes drive from Siena. It is an authentically restored three storied villa and we are on the top floor. Separate kitchen, dining room, lounge (with a fold out bed), bathroom and two bedrooms, plenty of space. It has a patio, perfectly situated for the sun. Robyn and Olivia have enjoyed starting the day with a 30 minute walk along the country lane dotted with vine yards, olive groves and villas. Totally chilled ...

... out of the city in a timely manner. Found a pizza chef with a Master's degree and had built his own pizza shop. Yummy!

We were able to visit Pinnochio's town of Colidi. Very fun! Gelato keeps flowing and Ribbolite (sp?) the local peasant soup is new favorite! Rich found Ossobucco last night finally!
Lots of fun travels.

Love ,
Rich and Kara

Check out some pics. I've taken over an hour to post 20 pictures that is how incompetant that I am online!

I'll do more when I can, or when I get home they'll be all gettin on facebook. =)

Missing everyone today. It's my ONE MONTH DATE!

ACK

Much love!
Benita

... I gave him a big hug and he reached down with his huge head and nipped my butt. He grabbed only the cloth of my pants and I'm certain he did it on purpose. He nussels me and gives kisses too!

I truly have done so much these past few weeks like:
walking in a lot of poop
shovelling a lot of poop
walking up and down hills out of breath
laughed
road horses
learned a heck of a lot

I had a much more interesting and potenitally funny ...

... used today to hold Siena's most spectacular event, Il Palio (Pagent and horse race). On the upper part of Il Campo stands a 15th century Fontana Gaia (Happy Fountain) while at the other end is the elegant Palazzo Comunale (Town Hall) with its graceful bell tower soaring above it.

A few more winds and turns and we were at the Duomo (Cathedral) one of Italy's greatest Gothic churches, with its magnificent façade of white, green and red polychrome marble (although the same colours as ...

... dimension from the steep hilliness insinuates itself into every aspect of the architectures, giving it a real midieval charm. One moment you´re climing an ascent towards a cathedral towering over you, only to peek round a corner to a steep stairway leading down to the front entrance of said cathedral - bit trippy really.
Siena, Tuscany, Italy david_chung

... went to the Piazza del Campo where the famous horse races take place. And I wouldn't be an American girl if I didn't attach this side note- The opening scene of the new James Bond Movie- Quantum of Solace, was filmed here!! That was pretty cool to me since we had been hearing all day about Medieval history, this was an interesting MODERN side note for me :) Tonight Els (our roommate from the Netherlands) made us ...

... room was Simon Martini's "Maesta" and it encompassed the entire end of one wall. I had to sit down and just feel it overtake me. We left Siena early, and it was a good thing since we took a side train back, changing Chuiso, and passing Ovieta (where we need to go in the future). Rome was hot and humid, but the Yellow was actually ...

... also drove to Lugano in Switzerland for a lazy lunch - Why ? Because we could. It's not everyday you have the opportunity to drive to Switzerland for lunch. Besides it is the home of Toblerone and Lindt chocolate. Nuff said. Venice was a one night stopover - it flashed RIP OFF in neon lights so I was happy to move on quickly. It amazes me how tourists appear to lose their common sense on holidays. We saw grown men climbing on ...

Southern part of the Province of Siena (Southern Tuscany) We left Florence Friday morning at 9:00 by bus. We arrived at the Cloister of Torri at 11:00am. It is a Vallombrosan Monestary that dates back to the 11th century and was one of the most important religious centers of the Senese area. There are three levels to the cloister each constructed during a different century. It is situated in Torri a small town surrounded ...