Tuscany
This is a common view of the Tuscan Hills. Irregular fields with grape and olive groves that dot the landscape. It is completely harmonious and relaxing to look out upon the pastoral scenes. It was also a welcome relief from the crowded cities filled with other tourists. We enjoyed taking the smaller roads even through the frustration of disappearing roadsigns and round abouts where we had to guess about which direction to take. Next trip - note to self - get a vehicle with a GPS!
These flowers were outside the Borghese Gallery in the heart of Rome. It was the contrast in colors that caught my attention as we were walking by. There is a very large park where the Borghese Gallery is located. The Borghese Villa is found in the middle of the Park. We walked in and then used our Roma Pass to take the small bus out of the park and into the city of Rome to cross the Tiber to have dinner in the Trastavere.
Barbarino d'Elsa is a walled town and this was one of the two gates into the town. It was up a rather steep hill and our apartment was up halfway in the town. The walls were constructed in the 14th century and are still in great shape. There are still the iron circles where horses were tied.
The Alps were majestic and a complete surprise. I was not expecting to see such grandeur until I realized were were taking 3 cable cars right to the top. Our guide was very nice and took the views for granted - this was impossible for the rest of us for whom this was anything but ordinary. Even the Pope had visited and his picture adorned the small cafe at the top of the mountains.
As I walked down from the mountains to the town this view captured my imagination. As not being neat myself I was amazed at the structure and compactness of the wood. It was a very peaceful walk down the mountain with very interesting views of chalet style houses, bright red geraniums and wood piles all in the shadow of the beautiful snow capped mountains.
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