Holiday in Tuscany

G had the whole week off and we had no plans to do anything. So, between Christmas and New Years we made a last minute decision to take the train down to Italy and see some towns we hadn't been to yet. We spent four relaxing days in Pisa, Siena and Florence (I've been to Florence with my mom and also with J last summer, but I was anxious for G to see this wonderful city.)

We started in Pisa, which was more of a stop off on the way to Siena since we only spent a couple of hours there. But, it was really amazing to see the Leaning Tower (or the Bell Tower) and the Field of Miracles (the square in which the Cathedral, Baptistery, and the tower are in). The Leaning Tower was recently reopened after a decade of work done to try to keep it standing, so of course we had to climb to the top. It was the coolest spiral staircase I had ever been up, because you can really feel the lean, especially on the lower side. It was pretty wild! After watching the sunset we headed down and I am happy to say there was no major collapse while we were there!

An hour later our train rolled into Siena and we really only had time to check in and head into the old town for dinner. We ended up at a little hole in the wall place with only one other couple dining, but it turned out to be one of the best meals we have had in Europe! Even G spilling an entire glass of red wine in my lap didn't deter from our evening! ;) We ended up staying almost a half hour after the restaurant closed to chat with the owner and play with his golden retriever puppy, Diva.

We spent the next day toodling around town, trying to stay out of the drizzling rain that was with us on and off. We were so happy just to sit at the cafes that line the old square and wander around town to take in the charm of the city. After dinner I was bound and determined to visit The Enoteca Italiana, an old wine bar in a cellar on the edge of town. After a 45 minute walk in the dark to find the place we discovered that it is only open in the summer! Oh well, that's the trade off for no crowds or lines all winter. :)

The next morning we hopped on another train to Florence, birthplace of the Renaissance. Despite G being "museumed-out" we did visit the Uffizi Gallery (with the greatest collection of Italian paintings anywhere) and the Accademia, (home of Michelangelo's David). We wandered around, ate some wonderful gelato (despite the cold), and I even discovered some parts of town I hadn't seen yet.

Overall it was a great trip. It was a nice way to round out 2006. The ride home was long, especially when our train broke down and they had to repair it while we sat at the station. But we did see some snow near Milan, so I have hope that soon we will see it in Switzerland. My fingers are crossed for 2007!

Happy 2007 everyone!

Holding up the Leaning Tower


At the top of Leaning Tower


G in the staircase of the Leaning Tower


Siena's Il Campo square, the heart of the city


The trees around town were a bit sad, it reminded us of a Dr. Seuss Christmas


Watch your kids!


Florence views


On the Ponte Vecchio Bridge overlooking the Arno River in Florence