Tuscany

The Tuscan hills, with the towered town of San Gimignano in the distance.

On April 12 and 13, we travelled to Tuscany for the first time in our stay in Italy. There has been so much written about the region that we'll let the pictures speak for themselves (almost.)

Florence

We started out in Florence. This is the tourist city par excellence. But every now and then, it rises way above the folks below, in both and actual and figurative sense.

In front of the Duomo (cathedral)

Omri's shot of Brunelleschi's Dome from high up in Giotto's Tower


Same scene from below

Familiar subjects with Ponte Vecchio in background

A drinking age of 16 - how very civilized!

Palazzo Vecchio and Uffizi Gallery

Siena

An alley running down to the Campo (main square where they run the 'Palio' - horse race twice a year)

The Campo, Siena

Siena is divided into Contradas or 17 neighbourhoods, named for animals, which used to be regiments in its army, but now vie for the flag in the horse race (3 times around the town square). This is the Aquila or "Eagle" contrada.

Lunch at the Vecchio Maneggio

We went for lunch at an Agriturismo (a wonderful network of countryside dining and accommodation) venue called Il Vecchio Maneggio (the old stable.) They make their own wines, honey, olive oil.Old wine press with Tuscan hills in background

San Gimigniano, a famous Tuscan hill town

Judy and Larry in front of the many towers


Main street of San Gimignano

Judy and new friend high above verdant Tuscany


More Tuscany in background (we couldn't get enough of it)

And finally, the inevitable Pisa

Yes, it really does lean (but so does the church)


The tower gets all the raves, but the baptistery and the church are gorgeous.


Omri insisted that, if photographed from the correct angle, the tower could look almost straight.