Heading to Siena for the day

All checked in...and ready to go site seeing!

In Tuscany

We arrived here around 3 pm.  It was a stressful drive...  Similar to the drive into Santa Cruz on Highway 17.  Then tiny curvy road into here.  This place is ok but nothing like the gorgeous places we have been staying in.  Nice, nice views and plenty of room.  Just not luxurious!  Met our neighbors from Canada, but haven't met owners yet.  Went to a very yucky market, groceries are cheap... Photo shows 20 euros worth!  Pool is cold, but spa is warm!  The land here is very pretty, green, hilly, lots of olive groves and vineyards.

Off to Florence and Tuscany!

Fairy tales can come true!

We feel so blessed.... And young at heart!  We went to the islands of Murano (glass blowing fame) and Burano (lace making fame)...  Loved the slower pace at each of these islands... the pastel houses, curving canals.  Then tonight we took a gondola ride!  Very awesome!!!

Made it!

Heading to Venice!

Cinque Terre

We arrived here yesterday... after being lost for quite a while.  The roads are very tiny and we didn't have good directions!  It was quite an experience!!!  An expatriate American woman finally checked us in.  She told us the various differences in Italy... Quite funny!  We are learning to adapt!

  The place we are staying is gorgeous... 3 bedrooms and 2 baths.. Covered parking and 2 large decks.  We are perched on top of a hill overlooking the town of Monterosso , the northernmost of the 5 quaint villages.  Walking to town is easy, but the climb back up is not for wimps!

Today we took a boat to all 5 villages and the beautiful village of Portevenere.  We ate lunch there.  It was absolutely a highlight.  The people have lived on the sides of cliffs for centuries!  They have all been very friendly.  Neither of us know much Italian, but so far we are doing pretty well.  The food here is wonderful... I just don't ask what I am eating!