Oct. 7 - Enjoying Tuscany at Its Best

Wednesday was the day to see "The Best of Tuscany" with Walkabout Tours.  On the motor coach at 8:30, it was off to visit Siena, San Gimignano and Pisa with a delightful stop for lunch and wine tasting at an organic farm and winery.  Patrizia took another route today with a train trip across the county to the East coast at Rimini and then a bus trip to San Marino.  San Marino is not governed by Italy even though it is within the country geographically.  It is the oldest independent republic in the world - governing itself since it was founded a thousand years ago.  Photos today are from past trips to Tuscany, but the Walkabout tour is always first class and always visiting the same interesting venues.  Reports from our travelers were glowing and everyone had a great time with their guide, Antonella. 

Here's the link to see more photos of The Best of Tuscany:  https://plus.google.com/photos/106242844572593515289/albums/6203332180628262481/6203332205840643906?pid=6203332205840643906&oid=106242844572593515289

 

Oct. 6 - Florence and Lucca

We started our day with a light rainy walk to the Santa Maria Novella Perfumery which has been doing business in the former monastery since the 1600's.  It's a very elegant place to visit for both the historical and retail experience.  Monks began making salves and medical products that soon became "the rage" with Florentine women centuries ago and now a private business continues to meet the demand for the perfumes and many other products they sell.  We slipped into a couple of 14th century palace courtyards to see how the Strozzis and the Antinoris lived in their fine homes.  In the afternoon we took our first train ride to the lovely Tuscan city of Lucca.  W. B. and Rochelle did not join us in Lucca but decided to stay "home" for a little rest.  Lucca very calm and peaceful compared to the hustle and bustle of Florence and we enjoyed a few hours of wandering around.  The old medieval city is completely surrounded by walls - 2 1/2 miles around - that is like a big city park just right for strolling and bicycling.   The rain didn't follow us there and we had a beautiful day to enjoy another part of Tuscany. . .