Today it’s time to look around Florence (Firenze) so we have decided to train into Florence from the local town Pontassieve. Our plan is to train to the main Florence train station and then hop the big red busses as we did in Rome. Trains are not so reliable and didn’t get into Florence until 12. Anyway aboard the bus, the first stop was a lookout high above the town which afforded us with some spectacular photos of Florence from a far. After a lengthy wait for the next bus, we went through the old money area of Florence where the Rockefeller’s build their house. Our next stop was the Palazzo Pitti which is a palace of the Florence rules between 1865 and1919. There is fresco ceilings in all rooms with hundreds of historic paintings lining ... read more

We are taking 2 rest day in South Tuscany just enjoying the country side and the quiet of the Villa. On Sunday we took a short drive to La Foce found a wonderful Ristorante-Bar and enjoyed a lovely lunch with a great bottle Chianti. Afterwards we headed up the road to La Force Villa & Garden for a tour of the garden and an in-depth history lesson of the area and the philanthropic activities of the owner up to and including WW2. In 1924 Antonio and Iris Origo bought La Foce and engaged English Architect Ceil Pinsent to enlarge the house, farm, build a school and hospital and making a garden that would protect them from the harshness of the land. The garden grew gradually in 4 phases between 1924 and 1939. This was a wonderful ... read more

We headed north along the Adriatic Coast to Monteprandone then west inland to Castel San Giovanni today. As we head inland the road follows a river and you travel though many trunnels though the hills. We found a lovely lookout over a valley to stop and have a picnic lunch. After driving another 30kmwe found a small walled village of Norcia which I feel may become our best village stop on this trip. The village was contained within the castle walls which includes about 50 homes, and 50 shops but 30 of these shops sold homemade salami, cured meats, cheese and truffles (tartufo). The cured meat where mainly from wild pigs and boars from the area. The history of the village and the friendliness of the people were wonderful, great way to spent a couple of ... read more

We are off to the East Coast beach area of Francavilla al Mare today. As we drive North East you do see a change in the landscape much greener vineyards and olive farms everywhere. Also found a paddock of sheep and a lavender field. The national toll way might have cost us 12 Euros for the 150km but we sat on 130kmh (the speed limit) and was still past by cars doing 160kmh, what a great system if we could have this down to Phillip Island. Francavilla al Mare is what you would call a sleepy 1980’s beach resort. We had planned to spend the afternoon relaxing on the beach and working on the tan until the thunderstorm rolled in, so a very relaxing afternoon reading and watching the rain ending with a great drive to ... read more

We have decided to stay an additional day in Marina del Cantone as the weather is perfect and it is such shame to just leave. So today we have hired a 5.7 metre RIB with a 40hp and set out to explore the coast. We quickly started to find some special places and some only attainable by boat. After a quick drive by of Positano we decided to stop in Amalfi for a caffé and cake. After getting back on the boat we headed back towards Positano to an outcrop of islands where we anchored in the ley of the islands for lunch and a swim. We finally got the boat back at about 4 very satisfied with the day’s adventure. So a quiet dinner out tonight and on the road again tomorrow.... read more