Friday April 23, 2010

The plan for the day was to hop on the train and start our tour of the Cinque Terra. After getting up and observing the weather, it was pouring rain we changed our plans. A short walk to the bus stop then a bus ride to the train station, and then a train ride to S. Margherita and finally a bus ride to Portifino where we would spend the day. Portifino is a beautiful little port where the rich and famous go and spend time and lots of money. I was informed Madonna comes to the town and demands whatever she wants and gets it, the list of actors goes on and on, Frank Sinantra, Marlon Brando, and Anthony Quinn just to mention a few of them. The port is small and is a good protection from the big seas, the restaraunts are built right on the edge of the water and the waiter told us the seas flood the cafe floors almost daily. We ordered a grilled seafood platter that was out of this world with taste and price, tuna, swordfish, whitefish, lobster, scampi, and calamari it was the best not pizza today.

The picture to the left is the Castello Brown that dates back to the 14th century and was constructed to protect the port and the gulf from the Venetians. It is designated as a historical site and for the enjoyment of tourists. We ended the day by a boat trip back to S.Margherita where we would pursue our search of hair dye and then catch the train and head back to our new hotel. We decided that we would navigate our way back by foot rather than the bus. Bob did as good a job as Gertie, along the way we picked up sandwich meat for supper instead of venturing out again. Great sandwiches and yes the hair color is great not even a hint of red !!!!

Thursday April 22, 2010

This is our day to say goodbye to this great place in the country and the nice people we have met. The website can give a better picture than any that I have taken in the past week http://www.rignana.it/ . Our drive will takes us to Sestri Levante, this is located along the coast in a central location so we can go to Cinque Terra and Portofina in the other direction.

Never having been here we booked a hotel called http://www.hotelvillaagnese.com/ the location is a short car ride from the city center and train station not as convenient as I first thought, but we will make it work. The weather is threatening rain so we will have to see what Friday brings as far as hiking in the Cinque. I know this is silly to write but we have been gone along time and the brown hair is getting some awful grey color so our goal this afternoon is find some haircolor and get rid of the bad hair, it may turn out red but I don't care.

Wednesday April 21, 2010

Driving to Siena was not at all difficult the only problem was finding a place to park. The farmer's market was going on and tons of people flock to buy flowers, vegetables and just about any other food items. After drving around, we find the perfect ramp and can take an escalator up to the walled city. The square is a very important part of the city because on July 2 the "Palio of the Districts" is held. At the event there are 17 neighborhoods represented 1 person riding the horse from each area in the town square. They hall in sand and water and away they go. The survivor of this craziness wins and has a celebration dinner. The pictures of this event are all over the city and you can only magine what the town square must be like. The picture to the left is the Cathedral and was taken high above the city. We toured the Cathederal and several museumsall for 12 euro a piece great bargain.

After driving through the country on the dirt roads and hanging cliffs we reach our house. The vents of the evening would be drinks by the not opened pool and then a climb up to the restaurant we frequent becasue of location and good food.

The food was up there on the top 10 list, fetuccini with truffles, tossed salad and the best 1/2 chicken I have ever eaten. We socialized with all the people who were staying at the house. Somehow we talked Rosa and Victor into this place and they were very happy with their meals. We ended the night with grappa of all kinds. Tomorrow we will leave this great place in the country.

Tuesday April 20, 2010
We have decided that taking the bus in the big cities works out really good. After a nice European breakfast and saying goodbye to our new friends we drive to the little town of Greve to catch the bus to Florence. The total cost of the round trip ticket is about 6 euro a piece, this is a small price to pay for sanity. As I stated the previous day I have no camera due to my stupidity so there once again will be no pictures of this beautiful city. Since Greg suggested the hop on bus tour we have found it to be the best way to explore the entire city and then return to the sites that would be of interest. Once again all the places are free for the week, that is good and bad. The lines go for blocks and it is almost impossible to get into any of the museums. We really (I wanted to see the David) when we got to the entrance the line was over a block long. I went to the entrance that said reserved tickets and some how talked my way in the door without standing in line, I attempted this at the museum of art with no success. We walked around the city and through some leather markets but not a single item was purchased, I will pursue this when in Venus. While walking around the city I was trying to find a throw away camera to capture some of the sites but had no success. After taking in as much as we could we boarded the bus and headed back to Greve where we had a fantastic Italian dinner.
When we arrived back at the house we met a darling couple from Barcelona , Spain, Rosa and Victor, who had just come to Italy to celebrate their honeymoon. After some wine and great conversations we called it a day to prepare for our next excursion of visiting the medieval town of Siena. One final note the camera was at the restaurant and was waiting for me when we got back. I was so excited.!!!!!!

Monday April 19, 2010
There will be no pictures today as I have succesfully lost my camera. I will try and
get a disposable one today so I can continue taking photos. Two days have passed and here are pictures on the found camera.
When we arrived on Sunday we met a very nice lady named Ava who was traveling on a walking tour led by her neice Cornelius who owns http://www.andiamoadventours.com/ . When eating breakfast we started talking to Ava and Cornelius, Elaine and Kohl. We asked if we could be part of their walking tour and would be willing to pay some euro. Cornelius was very gracious and invited us along. The tour was the best way to see this area, it is so massive that what would did in a day only covers a thimble of the area. We walked through little villages that were very old and tasted wines at one of the open winerys. This time of the year many places are closed and willl not open until sometime in May.

We had a nice picnic high atop the hills all provided by Cornelius. Bob dosen't do so good going down the hills so he opted to transport us from place to place. The day ended in the town of Greve for a quick tour and information on how to get to the bus stop as we are going to Florence by bus on Tuesday.
We had a cocktail hour here at the house and then walked up the hill to dine on more dishes than I could ever begin to name. After walking down the hill I discovered the absent camera, Bob went back up and they were closed. Today is Tuesday and apparently they will be closed today.

Sunday April 18, 2010

Our drive out of our hotel close to Rome was once again very good, with some direction from Franco the shuttle driver and gertie we were on our way. In the tour book we are using there was a place called Fattoria Di Rignana that sounded like it could be a nice place to spend a couple of days. The directions said it was not far from a town called Greve the largest town in the chianti wine country. The ride to find this place was a test of patience and emotional units,it was more than stressful to say the least. The road led us up and down hills again only a single lane of traffic and finally after all the frustration we would end on a dirt road. We decided to follow the road as it showed there was a place to eat and by know we needed to get out of the car. We arrived at the restaraunt and asked the waiter where the place in my book was and he politely without cracking a smile said it is right there. We had reached the villa and the views are nothing like I have ever seen. I always thought Napa and Sonoma valley were the bestplaces , but this area puts them into another category. I will put the link to the place when the internet is better connections are not so good but the place is lovely.