Travels Part Three

Off to Florence!

The first snag, the hotel was over booked and they had to put us in another hotel (4* too). I think it was probably a 4* back in the 1900s. It was almost humorous. Oh well, it was only for one night. Imagine though a canopy bed with rust colour red curtains. (I will post a picture on facebook). The bellman brought up our suitcases, poor guy. No elevator in this hotel. So up many stairs with our very heavy suitcases. As we got into the room I went in my wallet to get some money to tip him, Sam said thank you to him. I guess he assumed that meant that we weren't going to tip him, and under his breath he said "Thanks for what". I can't believe it, needless to say I just put my wallet back into my purse.

We left right away to head out to the streets. Busy doesn't even describe how packed the streets were. We had lunch at a small cafe, the cafe looked on to the cathedral in the centre of the city. So pretty! When we went in the cathedral it was breathtaking, the art work, decorations, scultptures and even the flooring! Just beautiful! It is so hard to describe in words what we saw, there are no words to do any of it justice. We continued to walk to the river, and the famous bridge. The only bridge out of the three in town that wasn't bombed during WWII. There are little flats built into the bridge and tons of stores along the walkway of the bridge. There were many street markets, like you would see in Mexico. Lots of leather purses, belts, hats etc. I found many things that I could have bought, but I settled for a hat. I couldn't make my mind up about the purse. In hindsight I am kicking myself, because I ended up not buying one at all.

After all the walking, we both were needing a drink. We happened upon this little bar that made blended drinks and cocktails. All of their blended drinks were made using fresh fruit. So yummy! As we sat there we both agreed that the next day was going to be a long day with our Tuscany tour so we figured we would go for an early supper and go back to the hotel. We both didn't feel like going back and fixing up before supper. So we found a cute Italian restaurant. We had a nice meal and an excellent bottle of wine. Fat and happy we started walking back to our hotel, we happened upon an Irish pub. Thinking it was only 830, we could go for a drink. Both Sam and I sat at the bar and ordered a drink. The bartender began talking to us, asking where we were from etc. Next thing I know he is giving us a shooter, both Sam and I were like oh boy, this is how it started the night in my town and in Zurich. A few more people started coming in and we got to talking to more of the locals. Then the deal was when a Canadian artist came on we had to do a shooter, and we were both like whatever you don't have many Canadian songs. Well, Brian Adams was the first of many songs to play. I can't say I remember everything, we did talk to a nice newlywed couple from New Orleans. Sam went to pay our tab, which should have been at least 100 euros with all of the shooters we had done, and the bartender charged us 10 euros! That's it! Fun, fun, fun!

Waking up maybe 3 hours later, not so fun. But, I didn't feel that bad, plus it was the day I was looking forward to the most. Tuscany Tour! We boarded the bus at 830. We left and went to a small village called Siena. So cute, small streets, old people, beautiful flowers. The main square was open with cafes along the edge, lots of public sitting in the centre. Two taps where people would wash their grapes and sit in the square and have a picnic with their significant other. I had my first gelato, sitting in the sun and taking it all in.

We left Siena and took the scenic tour through the Tuscan hills. If you have seen the movie Under the Tuscan Sun, it seriously is like that! The colours were wild, being fall the most vibrant reds, oranges and yellows. The rows of vines and olive trees. We stopped at an organic winery. Here we had a traditional Tuscan meal, with a different wine for each course. Very tasty, and the food was good too. After eating we had a few minutes to enjoy wine on the balcony in the sun, looking out to the hills! OMG!

From the winery we went to another small village called San Gimignao. This is a place that is very medieval looking. The buildings are all attached, but there are many walkways that take you to the most amazing views. I think I could have been locked up in that fortress and been quite content if I had that scenery to look at everyday. We came out of one walkway into this opening where the sun was shining, a harpist was playing, people drinking wine looking out at the view. Very romantic!

After leaving San Gimignao, we had a little drive to Pisa. Which again was beautiful the entire way. We made it to Pisa in perfect timing. Sam and I climbed the stairs of the Leaning Tower of Pisa in enough time to see the sunset! What a view, indescribable. We stood up there for about 1/2 hour and tried to take in as much as possible. This left us no time to do any other sightseeing in Pisa, but I didn't care at that point as I am sure this was the highlight.

That was unfortunately the end of our wonderful tour. We headed back to Florence, exhausted but totally mesmerized by our unbelievable day. We went for supper in the hotel and talked about our day. There were two ladies that came in shortly after us, who had just arrived, who had been drinking I am sure for a long time, and who both had had some serious face work done. I could hardly look at them without wanting to laugh. They were from Boston and were looking for a good night out. Sam and I told them about our Irish pub and suggested they go there. I wonder if they ever made it and if they got as good of deal on drinks as we had?

Sleep was the next thing on my agenda and I made sure to accomplish that before midnight! Very much needed and appreciated!