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Tuscany Travel Blogs

Background: Italy became a nation-state in 1861 when the city-states of the peninsula, along with Sardinia and Sicily, were united under King Victor EMMANUEL II. An era of parliamentary government came to a close in the early 1920s when Benito MUSSOLINI established a Fascist dictatorship. His disastrous alliance with Nazi Germany led to Italy's defeat in World War II. A democratic republic replaced the monarchy in 1946 and economic revival followed. Italy was a charter member of NATO and the European Economic Community (EEC). It has been at the forefront of European economic and political unification, joining the Economic and Monetary Union in 1999. Persistent problems include illegal immigration, organized crime, corruption, high unemployment, sluggish economic growth, and the low incomes and technical standards of southern Italy compared with the prosperous north.

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By bev barry
September 17th 2009

Fun Adventures Europe » Italy » Tuscany

Everyday leaves us enjoying Tuscany in new ways. Weather during the day has been in the mid 70's to low 80's with some rain periodically later in the day. One late afternoon and evening we had heavy rain, thunder, and lightning. But nothing has stopped us from eating most days out by the pool overlooking the Tuscany hills and valleys. We have had just the 2 of us at the villa and for a few days we grew to 12! Always a challenge to plan and feed the different size groups but everyone has pitched in and helped in some way. [View Full Entry]

By maytorenajr
September 17th 2009

Wine Tasting in Chianti Europe » Italy » Tuscany » Florence

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Went Wine tasting today in a city call Chianti. Its sort of the Napa Valley of Italy, there are a lot of vineyards up there and its very beautiful. It was a nice change of pace because I was able to get out of the city and enjoy some of the countryside. I ended up in some Castle that was once a fortress in the 12th century and was converted into wine and olive oil vineyard. The wine and olive oil there was brilliance. We tryed about 5 or 6 different wines that they offered and I could not choose which [View Full Entry]

By Carly and Jez
September 16th 2009

Florence; Paper lantern, Queues , Wine & the Leaning Tower Europe » Italy » Tuscany » Florence

Dave

Day 514 (7/09/09) Steps 24323(Continued) After arriving in Florence we discovered it was the Festival of Paper Lanterns, celebrating the Virgin Mary's birthday, so we set off in search of the piazza where the parade would begin from. We arrived to only a handful of children with lanterns most appearing to be going home, disappointed we turned back forwards our hostel only to run right into the parade complete with musicians and hundreds of children and family's with handmade paper mache latterns and designer lanterns. We joined the festivities, doubling as a guided tour of Florence arriving [View Full Entry]

By Carly and Jez
September 16th 2009

Medieval Siena Europe » Italy » Tuscany » Siena

Picnic Lunch at the plaza
Piazza Del Campo

Day 514 Steps 24323 (7/9/09) We meandered into the Medieval old city, a maze of piazza's, cobblestone streets and alleyways, gourmet shops selling cheese, cured meats and Chianti wine. First stop was the Piazza del campo, home to the horse race that stops... well Tuscany. Ten horses (each representing their region), bareback, complete three laps of the piazza taking little over a minute, the only rule you mustn't pull on another horses reins but its fine if the horse finishes without its rider. Shattered to have missed the race by only a couple weeks we soaked up the piazza's atmosphere in [View Full Entry]

By Courtt
September 16th 2009

alorah Europe » Italy » Tuscany » Siena

Hey everyone! I can't believe that I have been here for two weeks. I feel like it has been forever, yet at the same time I feel like I was just in America. Things here are still great. Food's great; people are great; sights are great. Tutti bene! It's all good! This past week has been non stop Italian boot camp. Everyday we have about five hours of Italian. My teacher is very very sweet. Her name is Fiora and is extremely patient and willing to explain things over and over again. It can be frustrating learning a new language, and [View Full Entry]

By maytorenajr
September 16th 2009

Florence Europe » Italy » Tuscany » Florence

Woke up today I was feeling super lazy. I had no desire to go anywhere except to maybe a pub. Considering it was 9 in the morning I figured I should save the pub for night and head to some more freaking muesums. I hate them so much I only go because I would feel terrible about myself if I did not see some the most famous pieces of artwork. For example, the sculpture of David, that statue was amazing it was a trip looking at it in person. I was not expecting it to be such a huge statue. I [View Full Entry]

By maytorenajr
September 15th 2009

Finally get to relax for a couple days in Florence Europe » Italy » Tuscany » Florence

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Alright after an 8 hour trip from Taormina to Rome, then a 4 hour trip to Pisa, then a 1 hour trip to Florence. I finally get to relax and kick back for a couple days till I head to Venice. Well that is the plan so far. Florence is pretty nice its not to big. The Church of Santa Maria in central Florence is beautiful. I am going to site see some more tomorrow then maybe a wine tour the following day. I am real sick of trains, buses, and subways but I still have many more of them to [View Full Entry]

By maytorenajr
September 14th 2009

taormina, rome, pisa Europe » Italy » Tuscany » Pisa

Leaning tower

I arrived in Pisa today and I must say it is pretty nice here. Their is not much to do here but its real laided back and easy going. I was in Rome last night and I once again drank way to many beers. Then a girl from england kept buying me this weird shot with bailys, some mint liqour, and chocalte liqour. It was good but not so good when I woke up this morning. I felt like I died and reincarnated into a pile of donkey poop. I was hating life for sure which made for a great time [View Full Entry]

By Andy n Jen
September 12th 2009

Under the Tuscan Sun Europe » Italy » Tuscany » Cortona

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Zurli Villa was absolutely beautiful. 5 days of nothing to do but just sit back, relax and enjoy the Vino. The Villa was set at the top of a hill surrounded by Vineyards and sunflower fields.. The gardens were beautifully kept and the place included our own pool, Jacuzi and woodfired pizza oven....And we cant forget the table tennis table either. Our time was so amazing and when we werent lounging around the pool and drinking we would take time to explore the local towns nearby. Day 1 Jen Jen prepared what was to be a feast of home-made pizza from [View Full Entry]

By AMV
September 12th 2009

Pisa and so much more! Europe » Italy » Tuscany » Pisa

Photo 1

On September 11, I was fortunate enough to visit Pisa with two people from my program! It was such a great time, and we only went for the day! We got to eat our lunch in front of the leaning tower of Pisa, which was really cool! I loved it. We also took some really goofy photos as well. Some of them are posted. We basically chilled, looked around and shopped. Everything was a lot of fun. Hope you love the pictures! Today is a really chill day in Florence. I did some additional shopping and finally bought myself a journal. [View Full Entry]

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