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Geo: 43.7687, 11.2569
Ciao all:
Today was the last full day of our Italian vacation. And little did we know when rescheduling the trip from last September, today was Labor Day all over Europe. Most worker-related industries and services, including grocery stores and transportation systems, were closed or shut down today.
The significance of this inconvenience didn't hit us until a couple of weeks ago, up to which time we figured we'd catch the regional bus from Siena back to Florence this day, since we're scheduled for a 6:30am departure for our trip back to the States Wednesday morning. Once we got over that shock, we were able to line up a tour operator to give us a low-frills ride from our Siena B&B to our Florence hotel with two leisurely stops in a couple of hill towns between the two cities, first at Monteriggioni and then at San Gimignano.
Being a holiday, large crowds were expected in all towns and cities that were popular with tourists and day visitors . . . in other words, just about every town and city in Tuscany. We arrived in Monteriggioni, a charming walled village with two streets that had served as a military garrison for the
Sienese army during the war with Florence, before many other people had arrived. We did a casual walk-through, and it felt like we had the whole village, along with the sweet smells of the panetteria (bakery), to ourselves. The Church of Santa Maria was stunning in its simplicity.
Onto to San Gimignano, a well-preserved walled medieval village high on a hilltop with 14 stone towers (over 70 stood at one time). The crowds had already arrived, so our stroll through was somewhat quickened, slowed only to indulge in the local award-winning gelato. The ricotta and blueberry flavor was heavenly! (We'll discuss our scientifically researched gelato best flavors in the next blog entry.)
Final stop was our efficient hotel close to the Florence airport. Had a great margherita pizza for lunch at a local pizzeria, repacked and watched CNN (first English-language media all week), then went back to the pizzeria to pick up some cheese and crostini to pair with the last two half-glasses of our souvenir Brunello di Montalcino for our evening in-room picnic.
It's been a great trip and vacation, but we're really looking forward to being home. There's no place like home. Hope Charlie remembers us!
Love to all,
Mike and Sharon/Dad and
Mom
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ashley bednarek
non-member comment
Hey my beautiful family you guys look like you have had an amazing last Italian day. Sir Charles and me went on 55 min run today he really loves it and it. I'm thinking I'm going to take him on more of them once you guys get back. He defin
ately is loving being spoiled by me, but he definately will be happy to see you guys. Love and miss you guys lots safe travels back to the states luv the pics.