Oct 14 & 15 - Arrivederci Florence

Tuesday was our day to pack, finish up our shopping, see one more museum or to have one more lunch at our favorite trattoria (café).  In the evening we sat down together at our neighborhood restaurant, Nerone's, for our last cena (supper) together.  When we first sat there as a group two weeks ago we were mostly strangers, and now we are amici (friends)!  Wednesday morning arrived early for Judy and Lisa who left for the airport at 4:30 a.m. for their 6:30 flight home.  Max, Patti, Chuck and Diane took the taxi to the airport at 7:30 and everyone else took trains to Rome and Venice for a few more days in Italia.  I am packing and tying up loose ends for my flight home tomorrow.  Thanks to all my travelers for making this another bellissimo (beautiful) tour and to all of you who have followed our adventures - perhaps you will come with me some day!  Arrivederci! 

 

Oct 13 - A Fine Day for Wine

Today we had our own mini-bus and driver to take us to the Chianti countryside.  Our first stop was the American World War II Cemetery where more than four thousand Americans who died here are buried.  The setting is so serene and beautiful and it gives us an opportunity to pay tribute to those who gave all for freedom.  After another stop for coffee and the fresh grape cake make only this time of year during the harvest season, we found Castello Verrazzano Winery among the vineyards and olive groves of Chianti.  You will see from the photos how lovely the castle grounds and the scenery around it are.  It is truly a Tuscan landscape painting in reality.  Our guide, Gino, was great and his explanation of the winemaking at Verrazzano was heartfelt and almost poetic as we explored the cellars below the castle tower.   However, the best was to come in the tasting room where we had an elegant lunch and wine tasting experience - for over two hours!  Our last stop for the day was in the charming town of Greve in Chianti where we did a little shopping and wandering about.  It was indeed a fine day for wine and time with friends in Tuscany!  Lots of photos today - enjoy!