Villa Rosa Di Boscorotondo Panzano

... headed into the cemetery. It was actually very ornate, the headstones were huge (I remember one being a life size statue of 2 people dancing), and some were in rooms/buildings, I’m sure there is a proper word for them. We each broke off and strolled around separately, then convened together and started walking further up the road. We made it to the Piazza we had wanted to go to, took tons of pictures, and goofed off (I can’t express enough how ...

... Cranberry Sauce, Stuffing, Potatoes, and Mixed Vegetables. For dessert pumpkin pie, ice cream, and apple cider! It was nice to spend the night with classmates and a few professors.

Friday night, we had yet another Thanksgiving with all of my friends. Everyone prepared their favorite dish and we spent the night telling stories of our families Thanksgivings.

I'll update you soon,

Siara

... life time on this trip already!
Climbed the tower in the main piazza, saw an enormously large pizza and had wild boar sausages for lunch which were a bit gamey but nice.
Went for drinks at Lochness bar and ended up drinking long islands as there wasn't much in the way of wine or beer there.

Hi Everyone!

After an exhausting weekend in Brussels, I was in for yet another treat with cooking classes in Florence. Organized by my school, a group of us met with a chef for some lessons.

We were taught how to prepare typical Tuscan cuisine including Ribollita and Stuffed zucchini-flowers.

Everything was delicious & I look forward to trying these recipes at home!

I'll update you soon,

Siara

... with the O'Calahans, Orrs, Harpers and Ina. We had a competition where some riders told a story explaining the empty farm houses in the valleys that we rode pass. The evening concluded after dinner when we retired to our rooms.

Italy Day 14

We rose this morning and had breakfast with the Orrs. Today was planned off day with everyone taking a bus into Siena for a day of touring. Kathie and I had a head start from the day before but joined in for the tour also ...

... and have a nice lunch at a restaurant on the central plaza, Piazza della Cisterna (an ancient cistern is in the center). From there we go to Volterra, and I must correct myself because it is in the Provence of Pisa, but still part of the Chianti district of Tuscany. Volterra is another fortified hilltop town that goes back at least to the 3rd century B.C. It is mainly known for its Alabaster sculpture and we visit a special display in the community ...

... the cooking class and the food we're about to eat, and it doesn't take long before I share their fervor and their food. They had prepared risotto with fresh artichokes, spinach lasagna, pork loin with a Chianti reduction sauce, and a beautiful and delicious orange marmalade tart for dessert. The whole meal was great. In the next room the other guests, a group of college chums (50 years ago) from Norway, were having a big farewell dinner (I think they've been here all week ...

... the city a bit more. I ended up walking down to the rivers edge to admire the view. I came across the Piazza Repubica with its huge arcade and sea of art vendors, as well as the high class shopping area. The sun was setting so I was able to get some good twilite photos. I took the long way back to the hotel trying to see another basilica and its beautiful square. Unfortunately I found a construction zone where the entire square was ripped up. The ...

... shortly thereafter. Then it was just taking in the sights, including the very impressive (and large!) marble cathedral, wandering the shops and then we were back on the bus and off to Florence. We arrived into Florence late in the evening and had dinner as a group which is were we got to know "the Americans" (Chris, Travis and Amy from Denver) a bit better, before hitting the bar where we got to know them a LOT better.

... by not passing through it quickly. Find your favourite places to buy food, or bookstores, or anything. See what it is like to actually "live" in a new place, even if only for a while. She is right. I am a little bit more Italian than when I arrived the second time around. I am certainly alot more "Fiorentinian". I suspect that some of the people who live here, are a little bit more "Adrian" than when I arrived as well. Ciao Ciao.