We left Venice before the masses arrived and hit the road headed south. Meg at navigation, me at the wheel, Dad chillin in the back seat. We arrived without much drama late afternoon to a beautiful, peaceful haven in the town of Torrita di Siena. We stayed at a wonderful bed and breakfast called Residenza d'Arte. And if the beautiful scenery and hotel were not enough, George topped the cake! The manager of our lodging took such good care of us. We were treated as if we were royalty. He drove us in our car to a wonderful restaurant our first night there so we could enjoy ourselves and not worry about getting lost in the countryside. That meal was voted my favorite dinner for myself. Best steak in my life!!!! This is also where Meg encountered Grappa which is the equivalent to tequila. Now THAT was some funny stuff!
A beautiful watercolor sunset from the grove.
The B&B was once an abbey centuries ago. There was an amazing tiny church on the backside of the abbey, this was the ceiling....Sistine Chapel eat your heart out!
The next morning we were gathered up by our tour guide who clearly was the inspiration for Austin Powers. What a character! we visited three wonderful towns: Montalcino, Pienza, Montepulciano. In between we stopped at a wonderful vineyard for a wine tasting. Very educational....on several levels. We learned of the effects of seasons on the flavor of the grape.,the drama that comes with the harvest, and the effects of the "bed wedders". Yeah, that's what I thought until Meg understood the confusion between me and our host. She laughed and said "bad weather, goof!". Ohhhhhhhhh
This was a beautiful cemetery behind our B&B.
I make her look good!
A beautiful bella notte.
I can't think of a better place for breakfast! The lovely ladies of the grove...
Does this chair make my butt look big???
Fields of defeated sunflower soldiers
Our favorite town, Pienza! The smells, the colors, the beauty......
Our first morning there, Meg and I awake with Dad standing next to the bed, it's bout 6:30 am. A little alarmed I asked "Is everything OK?". Dad tells us we have got to see something quick. Curious and yet still half asleep we follow him outside to be met by this glorious vision...
Dad searches for his morning wake up call...a beautiful dove....that has to clear his throat before he gets his groove on!
Graveside of a young child.
Part of our hotel.
On the way to Traverna in Montepulciano
I loved how I found crosses everywhere we went!
The lovely ladies above Papa's bed.
Laundry in Pienza.....almost everywhere we went we saw laundry on the line. We must be very spoiled here to have washers n dryers because it must be hard to come by over there.
Good to know we weren't the only ones who got lost!
After a wonderful lunch in Pienza
This was really neat! On the A1, which travels from top to toe of Italy (as well as all main autostrada (interstates)) it's a toll road so the eateries span over the top of the road! It was amazing how healthy they eat over there, even at roadside stops.
Had to be sly about this one...Mafia!
Strolling in Pienza
The mausoleum next to our B&B.
Who needs a BMW when you can ride like the Schwinn!
I love this pic...
Papa and his stylin "Man Vest". We gave him a lot of grief at first, then we discovered that he was much hipper than we ever imagined! They were everywhere!
A view into Dad's room.
In each of the little towns we visited there were always these neat little corridors.
There was always a watchful eye wherever we went.
A wonderful view from Montalcino.
Inside the beautiful little church at our B&B
Another beautiful view in Montalcino
Morning light at the grove.
We are innocent...promise!
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