April 3

Well folks, it seems this is the swan song for this blog site.  After repeated attempts to make all the components work together so I can post photos and comments about the tour, it's just not working out this time.  There are new techniques that Google is now requiring for the outdated PICASA program I having been using in the past that I am just not going to try to learn while I am here.  So, sorry if any of you are disappointed, but I have decided it's best to move on and drop the blog.  It was fun while it lasted!  Ciao . . .

April 2 Arrival Day

All the girls arrived today with no problems with all their luggage in tow! Yay!

After settling in and unpacking we tool a stroll around the neighborhood then had a delicious dinner at La Sosta next door to our residence.  A cup of gelato at Tulio's ended the evening and it was time to crash and give in to jet lag.

Sorry we can't get any photos posted but there are some technical difficulties tonight.  Hopefully we can get them resolved tomorrow.  We'll keep you updated on the progress (or lack thereof!).

Our April Tour Coming Soon!

I'll be back in Florence with my Spring tour group April 2 - 16 and you are invited to come back to this photo blog site when we get underway with our adventures in Tuscany and beyond!  See you on April 2 - subscribe in the right hand column and you will be notified when we post!



 

 

 



Oct. 14-15 - Saying Our Goodbyes

On Wednesday we said goodbye to W. B., Rochelle, Anita, Linda and Ronnie.  They took a train to Naples and then were going on to Sorrento for a few days to enjoy the south of Italy.  Our other travelers spent the day packing, shopping, visiting another museum or two and saying goodbye to Florence.  On Thursday morning Carol, Joel and Brenda left at 7:30 by taxi to the airport for their flights to the USA.  Lois had a later flight so she said goodbye about 10:00.  Donna and John left for the train station about 10:30 for Rome where they will spend a couple of days and then travel down to Sorrento as well.  We have had a wonderful tour here in Tuscany and have seen a lot of sights.  Thanks to every traveler who trusted Patrizia to show you around "her Italy" and to introduce you to the Italian culture, history and amazing sights.  Thanks to those of you who have been following us on this blog.  Perhaps you can come experience Tuscany in person sometime soon. 

Grazie tante a tutti! (Thanks a lot to everyone!)

 



 ARRIVEDERCI TO THE OCTOBER TRAVELERS

 

 Anita, W. B. and Rochelle Simpson

 Ronnie and Linda Grimes

 John Smith and Donna Archer

Joel and Brenda Sutton

Carol Barnshaw and Lois Cano

 

 

THANKS FROM PATRIZIA!

 

 

 

 

 

Oct.13 - Celebrating the Chianti

What a great day we had on Tuesday as we traveled by private mini-bus and driver to the Chianti countryside just outside Florence.  Our first stop was at the beautiful American WWII cemetery where over 4,000 soldiers are buried.  Angelo gave us a truly inspirational talk about the cemetery and the war which brought tears to our eyes.  Italy has given this parcel of land to America in appreciation for the liberation from Nazi occupation in 1945.  Then we drove just a little further to the lovely Castello Verrazzano Winery for a terrific tour and lunch.  "Gino the friend of Vino" was our guide and he certainly makes an impression with his heartfelt love of wine production and Chianti.  Giovanni Verrazzano was an explorer to the "new world" in the 1520's and in addition to finding the Hudson Bay in New York he also sailed into the Cape Fear River right at what is now Southport so we love the connection!  Lunch and winetasting was outstanding!  You'll see from the photos how much we enjoyed that!  Afterwards we made a short stop in the capital of the Chianti territory, the small town of Greve, for some strolling and a little shopping.  Even though it started with a little rain, our day in Chianti was delightful - just another reason to visit Tuscany! 

Lots of photos for today's adventure can be seen here:  https://plus.google.com/photos/106242844572593515289/albums/6205450525849937425/6205450570286817458?pid=6205450570286817458&oid=106242844572593515289