Tuscany

---

Via our coach, we followed the fertile valley of the River Po into the peaceful landscapes of Tuscany. Continued to Pisa and saw the Leaning Tower in the Square of Miracles. 

Later, we traveled to Florence to see Michelangelo’s David in the Accademia Museum and wandered Piazza della Signoria, an open-air gallery filled with Renaissance sculptures, marbled clad churches and ancient cobbled paths that challenged our endurance.

Next, explored the Tuscan capital, Santa Croce, where we soaked up the atmosphere, magnificent museums, and galleries that house some of the world’s most famous works of art. Most notably was the largest Franciscan Church where many famous Italians are buried including Michelangelo and Galileo. In the evening, we had an opportunity to sample the region’s authentic flavors with a sumptuous Tuscan dinner served with local wine.

The next day, we drove through the Tuscan hillside and stopped at San Gimignano, Tuscany’s most famous hilltop town! We loved the unique atmosphere of this “ancient gem,” a walled city that has remained intact since the 14th century. Here, we visited quaint shops with paintings, ceramics, and leather by local artisans. We bought a beautiful watercolor and couldn’t resist a magnum of Chianti from a nearby vineyard to be shared with our new friends. We also tasted our gelato at “Gelato World Champion” Gelateria Dondoli!

Undoubtedly, one of our most enjoyable evenings was at the Tuscan Villa Machiavelli, located in the Chianti hills (a delightful hamlet where the great political theorist wrote his immortal work, ‘The Prince’). We enjoyed the best Tuscan cuisine accompanied by great music and drinks, including Chianti from the Villa’s own vines – we enjoyed the surprisingly delicious blue and strawberry-colored wines to start the night. They then served a delicious meal of local “award-winning” beef that they paraded amongst the guests’ tables as a band played live music.