Travel Theme: Orange
We are arriving just as the sun is setting in Venice, Italy. The beautiful, soft, terra cotta orange of Venice!
Evening Shadows of Terra Cotta Orange in Venice, Italy
Posts tagged ‘Italy’
Travel Themes: Horizon
Venice is the most magical of places on earth! Won’t you join me in Venice on the AIT Tour? (Austria, Italy, Turkey) We’re exploring Venice the next few days! Enjoy! Look for other Travel Themes here.
A Look at the Horizon in Venice, Italy
A Word a Week Photo Challenge: Arches
Arches, arches everywhere! Duck your head! We’re in Venice! Won’t you join me? The story begins with arches! Enjoy the photo challenge!
Arches of Venice, Italy
Weekly Photo Challenge: Texture
We’re making our way to Venice, Italy! Isn’t this sculpture of the Doge amazing? The marble sculpture of the Doge is in the Doge’s Palace, the seat of the Venetian government and the home of the ruling duke of Venice, or doge. He was the supreme authority in the Republic of Venice. The texture is smooth! Enjoy!
A Marble Sculpture of the Doge of Venice, Italy
Weekly Photo Challenge: Letters
Fish menus celebrated in Corniglia, Italy! What a beautiful display of letters!! Enjoy!
Fish Selections in Corniglia, Italy
Eighteen Reasons to LOVE Italy!
Eighteen Reasons to LOVE Italy!
When In Rome………….
I Loved the Umbrella Trees!
As we finish up the Traipsing Through Tuscany tour, I learned two things on this trip to Rome. First, always ask how many flights of stairs there are to the abode you plan to stay in and two, never cut in line when it is raining and there is an older Italian woman waiting in an informal queue or in the shadows. Well, it is never proper to cut in line, but first know if there is a line and where it might actually be. I did witness the results of such a blunder or was it simply a tired wet Italian woman not to be put off?
Arriving in Rome, we took a cab to the B&B. Pushing open the heavy oak door, after being buzzed in, there were immediately two flights of stone stairs to reach a plateau area of tables and chairs on the roof of the building we had just walked up. The hostess met us here and took us to our room, in a remodeled villa, up another four flights of stairs, in another building. So everyday in Rome it was up and down six flights of stairs twice and sometimes more. I did not look forward to the end of the day and since we had opted to stay out a little further in the “burbs” there was also a trek each day to the metro station before the exploring began. The B&B room was new, elegant and very chic, but I would take the room with the nuns at Santa Brigida Convent over this. (See “Off to Roma” post) https://cadyluckleedy.com/2013/04/30/off-to-roma/
We took several walking tours with Art Viva; “Rome in One Glorious Day,” the “Masterpieces of the Vatican and St Peters Tour” and “The Original Walking Tour.” BEWARE, wear your most comfortable walking shoes! We walked well over ten miles, the first day, during the tour alone! I would also take the tours over several days with rests between. They were EXCELLENT and we learned a lot, but we were really pooped at the end of the day and then there were those “STAIRS” to look forward to!
Rome Walking Tour
Rome Walking Tour
Rome Walking Tour
Rome Walking Tour
Rome Walking Tour
Rome Walking Tour
Rome Walking Tour
Rome Walking Tour
Rome Walking Tour
Rome Walking Tour
Rome Walking Tour
Rome Walking Tour
Rome Walking Tour
Rome Walking Tour
Rome Walking Tour
Rome Walking Tour
Rome Walking Tour
Rome Walking Tour
Rome Walking Tour
Rome Walking Tour
Rome Walking Tour
After one day out, exploring, touring, eating, and walking, it started to pour. We looked to hail a cab and got in a queue behind a group of six at a taxi stand. A cab stopped, the six piled in and out of nowhere an elderly woman flung herself at the back cab door, pulled it open and in no uncertain terms, in rapid fire Italian and gestures, ordered the occupants out of the cab. When they didn’t get her message she flew to the front door of the cab and told off the cab driver as well. The cab driver told the occupants they would have to get out, and they did. The old woman with her wet, soggy pull-cart of groceries jumped into the cab and off it splashed. We left the queue and walked in the rain to the metro station, realizing it might be easier just to take the metro. Soaked through and through, my shoes squeeking, I again had the STAIRS ahead! We did enjoy our time in Rome, but would to do it differently the next time! Live and learn! That’s what traveling is all about! Here are some of my favorite pictures of Rome! Enjoy!
Rome Beauties
Rome
Rome
Rome
Rome
Rome
Rome
Rome
Rome
Rome
Rome
Rome
Rome
Rome
Rome
Rome
Selling Chestnuts
Rome
Rome
Rome
Rome
Rome
Rome in the Rain
For more information on Art Viva Tours Look HERE!
Traipsing Through Tuscany- San Casiano dei Bagni
Today head south through the beautiful Tuscan hillside to the village of San Casiano dei Bagni. The village was discovered by the Etruscans and known for the abundant (42) thermal springs which were later developed by the Romans. There are still 5 star spas to be found here!
The Drive to San Casciano dei Bagni
San Casciano dei Bagni, a hill town overlooking the Val di Paglia, springs from a thick woods of oaks, chestnuts and ancient pines. The medieval village reveals a labyrinth of narrow roads winding around a church. Today the main entrance from the south, the “Porta,” leads to the Piazza Matteotti, where there are spectacular views of the valley below. There is also Ristorante Daniela, located right on the piazza. I was drawn to the charming cave-like ambience. Greeted by Daniela herself, we were delighted with the specialties of the house. Our meal of Tuscan ham, cheeses, homemade soup and pasta, was washed down with good local wine. Enjoy a day in San Casiano dei Bagni!
San Casiano dei Bagni
San Casiano dei Bagni
San Casiano dei Bagni
La Porta
San Casiano dei Bagni
San Casiano dei Bagni
San Casiano dei Bagni
San Casiano dei Bagni
Ristorante Daniela
Ristorante Daniela
San Casiano dei Bagni
San Casiano dei Bagni
Ristorante Daniela is located at 6 Piazza Matteotti, San Casciano dei Bagni, Italy.
Traipsing Through Tuscany- Montefollonico to La Foce
Our day trips from Montepulciano continue. Today we explore the village of Montefollonico, a small medieval hamlet surrounded by thirteenth century walls of fired bricks. In ancient times the village was called Monte a Fullonico. The Romans called “fullones” people that worked the cloths, so Montefullonico was the mountain of the cloth workers. The first noted people that lived here settled near the Benedictine Monks Abbey in the 8th Century. The monks raised sheep and dyed the wool. These small Tuscan villages give you a variety of views of the Italian countryside and life here. Enjoy!
The Sheep!
Montefollonico
Montefollonico
Montefollonico
Montefollinco
Montefollonico
Montefollonico
Montefollonico
Montefollonico
Montefollonico
Next is one of my favorite spots in Tuscany! I am showing additional pictures I took of La Foce, the beautiful country estate of the American, Iris Origo, and her family. Her daughter continues to run the estate, garden, restaurant and B&B. There are tours offered of the estate and multi-layered gardens. This would be another excellent choice for a home base while touring Tuscany by car. For more about the story of La Foce I have detailed information in the post: https://cadyluckleedy.com/2013/04/11/war-in-val-d-orcia/. It is a must read about this heroic woman and her life in Italy!
La Foce
La Foce
La Foce
La Foce
La Foce
La Foce
La Foce
La Foce
La Foce
La Foce
La Foce
La Foce
La Foce
La Foce
La Foce
La Foce
La Foce
La Foce
La Foce
La Foce
For more information about La Foce see: http://www.lafoce.com
Traipsing Through Tuscany- Montisi
Montisi
The hill town, Montisi, population 500, is an ancient Etruscan necropolis. As small as it may seem, the village is divided into four communities, each represented with their own flag. The Castello is the area of the medieval castle. The Piazza, is the flat area located near the castle. San Martino is in the northeastern part of the village and the Torre, takes the name of the Tower of the Grange of Santa Maria della Scalla (a farming estate owned by a monastery), which was destroyed by retreating German troops in 1944.
The Civic Tower and the Colonna, in Two Different Communities
Civic Tower and the Colonna
Walking up the small hill to the restored tower, currently, the Grange is a private home built around two main courtyards, with a small theatre used for shows and concerts. It was here that a clay hand-made map was posted on the wall to point the way around the narrow streets in a circular fashion to locate all the sites on the hill. It reminded me of a scavenger hunt map! See the chunks of terra cotta on the wall? Following the terra cotta signs, the lane reminded me of the Stations of the Cross along a beautiful garden walk!
Pieve of the Santissima Annunziata
The Pieve of the Santissima Annunziata
The Map
Markers on the Montisi Walk
Markers on the Montisi Walk
Markers on the Montisi Walk
Mother Mary Pray for Us
The Markers on the Walk in Montisi
Streets of Montisi
Main Walk Montisi
Walking Montisi
The Only Cat in Town!
Returning to the lower ground of the village there is now a frescoed wall playground, the ruins of castle walls, and beautiful flowers, doors and windows. We spent a lovely afternoon in Montisi!
Castle Walls
Roof Top View
Montisi Landscape
A Grand Villa near Montisi
Roof Top View
Rooftops of Montisi
A Door in Montisi
A Window in Montisi
The Lower Village Montisi
The Walls of Playground
Montisi
The Lower Village of Montisi
Wall Flowers
Lower Village of Montisi
The Travel Lady In Her Shoes 