09.08.17 Have luggage, will travel.

With luggage finally, 

we are off! 

We board the train 

headed to Santa Margarita Portafino, Italy. 

We pass through Italy west towards the coast. 

A cool site is the mountains of Carrara - the white is not snow, 

but the most quarried marble in the world - 

-as popular today as it was centuries ago. 

We finally SEE the Ligurian SEA! 

Dan is so happy to be here. 

Santa Margarita is a picturesque city

 on the Mediterranean. 

What do we do first?

While of course, 

we head to a floating restaurant 

for seafood and spirits! 

We stalk the wealthy yacht owners on the pier, and are  entertained by their "garbage".   

We tour the city as the sun is setting. 

The architecture is unique. 

We arrive at our boutique hotel, which we adore!

 Our balcony view

 

We meet Dan and Pam in the lobby, 

to play cards, 

eat more, 

drink more

(best martini ever)

and laugh more! 

I am sure I won this hand. 

Poker Face. 

09.07.17 Under the Tuscan Sun

We spend the day exploring Tuscany,

 in search of the perfect wine. 

We hire a driver,  Marco, 

the most charming  and kind Italian. 

We drink, he drives. 

San Gimignano (so fun to say!)

is an Italian hill town in Tuscany, in the province of Siena. 

Encircled by 13th century walls, 

it has a skyline of medieval towers and homes.

 

Perks. 

Cheese. Bread. Meat. Gelato. 

Yum. 

We hike to the top for the view. 

On we go, through the winding hills 

with spectacular vistas at most every curve. 

Sally has set us up for an extra special lunch today. 

We are learning 

what Tuscany 

is all about.

We tour and dine 

at a small organic 

winery and trattoria 

in the heart 

of Chianti. 

 Divine food. Heavenly. With a view to match. 

We are truly, under the Tuscan sun. 

We have a meal of many courses which is enhanced by the variety of wines we are served. 

 We send home bottles of wine and balsalmic vinegar. No truffle oil though. 

 Wine, wine, wine,  coffee, wine, wine, wine. 

Its all about balance. 

Cappuccino's in Castellina

You[ll find the mascot on the top of every bottle

 of true Chianti Classico.  

The rooster standard? 

80% Sangiovese grapes grown in the area, & at least 12% ABV.  

And, of course, Marco takes us to yet another beautiful winery in Chianti. 

We must compare.....

No doubt the end

 to a perfect day .... 

is to come home and find 

our long lost luggage! 

6 days without out them t

eaches us just how light we can pack 

 for all future trips!