Florence/Pisa/Tuscany, Italy April 26, 2022

Livorno is the actual port town where we docked. Although it had rained the days before we were again lucky and the rains had passed and we had wonderfully sunny weather and temps reached 70s. Margit’s 10 hour tour to Florence and Pisa started early in the morning as did mine and we once again enjoyed breakfast in our cabin. She had a wonderful and also adventures and misadventures time and you will have to read her blog to learn of her experiences.

I had been to Florence and Pisa twice before and opted to go on an 8 hour countryside tour of Tuscany. The beauty of the rolling hills, covered in every shade of green imaginable was truly a piece of heaven. I just soaked it in, after having seen so many cities this was a treat. Wheat fields, vineyards, olive groves, cypress, pines, hazelnut, poplar and many more trees. The poplars are planted in a managed forestry practice and used for making furniture. Many medieval towns grace the varies rolling hillsides. One got the impression that time had stood still for these towns. Rarely would you see solar panels, roof top cisterns, satellite dishes, roof top or window ACs and other odd contraption that adorn and uglify so many of the city and suburban buildings. The fertile soils in this region produce some of the worlds finest wines including Chianti and Vino Nobile di Montepulciana. So they say! I am no wine connoisseur and actually don’t like Italian wines, so I will just take their word for it. It is after all just a “matter of taste”.

After about a 2- hour most beautiful scenic drive we arrive at one of the many hill side towns, the UNESCO World Heritage site of San Gimignano. Strolling through this medieval town was like stepping back in time. I marvel at its architecture and wondered as to the purpose of its 14 towers. Some believe the towers where simply part of the walled city’s fortification, other think they were built to demonstrate wealth of dueling families. Considering their location within the walled city I would tend to believe the latter. Either way, these towers were so narrow, that they could not have had much of a practical function. But they certainly added to the charm of the town. It was a lovely stroll that eventually led to some shops, though not your typical touristy ones. They displayed mostly locally made products, leather goods, wood products and lots of gorgeous ceramics. I purchased a lovely olive oil dispenser, which will grace my kitchen; I use a lot of olive oil in my cooking and this will be a wonderful reminder of my day in Tuscany.

After our time in the town we proceed to a local farm for a truly authentic Tuscan meal. Prior to the meal we got a little lesson in wine making as this farm was also a winery. A delightful and ever so local man who spoke very good English, proudly told us of the farms history and that most of the food items that were prepared for us where made and or grown right here on the farm. The farm consisted of 18 acres, 18 B&B rooms, 18 this and that…..he loved the number 18. The meal was divine, our group a cheerful bunch, as the wine had flowed freely. I left the noisy dinning room to enjoy the tranquility of the outdoors, where I had a chance to chat with our stateroom neighbor. A delightful person who is on his 3rd Viking World Cruise. He too, thought the room had gotten too noisy and was seeking a more tranquil setting.

A brief wine tasting followed the meal, I did not partake, since it’s primary purpose was to sell wine and I was not in market for any, though some were. As if we did not a get enough wine on board.

It was a memorable and wonderful day and I will have to return to Tuscany one day, the place where time stands still.

We arrival at Port Livorno

Scenic drive through the Tuscany region

The views are never ending, each bend of the road reveals another picturesque vista

We have arrived at the UNESCO site, the town of Gimignano, a walled city with 14 towers. There is only one entrance into the town.

Passing through the gate

One of the many passageways once you get inside, even there the views are awesome.

The display at one of the authentic Tuscan ceramics shops

Oh, and they have wild boars in the region and they make a multitude of products from the wild pigs.

Handsome Italian inviting me into the wild-boar-shop

One of the 14 towers.

View from one of the highest points in town alone side a passage way along the city wall.

Every turn in the town revealed a charming Tuscan scene.

A tunnel through section of the town that had openings in the ceiling to allow light to come in so you could find your way. Would hate to go there at night!

We reach the city square, yes even this town has a city square.

There is my red Ferrari waiting for me. Ha Ha, don’t I wish

This is a rendition of the town. You can really only fully appreciate the town when viewed from above as it’s narrow streets and multistory buildings and multiple levels hides its full scope from your eyes.

We are welcomed by the owner of this farm, winery and B&B “Antica Dimora”

A section of the wine cellar where the owner explains how the soil influences the taste of the grapes. This area was once under the ocean and the soil contains a lot of seashell remnants and the minerals (calcium carbonate) makes for good wine.