Photo Blog: Rome and the Country Roads of Tuscany

Tour Name: Rome and the Country Roads of Tuscany

Tour Date: November 5-13, 2024

Tour Director: Skip VanderSchaaf

Tour Highlights: We flew from Philadelphia to Florence and arrived at our hotel in Montecatini Terme (known for its thermal spas). This would be our home for the next five nights. Our guide, Jeremy West, met us at our hotel.

Our group of travelers quickly became like family and will continue to be our friends. We were blessed with perfect weather throughout our trip.

Our first full day took us to the beautiful towns of Lucca and Pisa. We toured the Pisa Duomo (1063) and of course the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Like all tourists we had our picture taken at the leaning Tower of Pisa. From there we went to a Tusacan winery and olive grove where we learned about wine making and the olive culture.

In Florence we visited the Academy Gallery to see some of the many works of Michelangelo including his amazing statue of David. Our time in Florence included the beautiful Cathedral of Saint Mary (built between 1296 and 1436), the Medici Palace and the Ponte Vecchio Bridge over the Arno river.

Our day of leisure gave us time to explore our “home” town of Montecatini Terme. We went to the sixteenth century spa Tettuccio, known for its thermal/mineral waters. We tried some thermal/mineral waters which were not too tasty. While there we went up to Montecatini Alto to explore the town which included a Medieval fortress and church. We had a delightful, yummy dinner overlooking the olive groves. This was one of our best memories.

Next day we went on a walking tour of Siena, the town where the Palio Horse race takes place and we enjoyed some real Italian Gelato. Then on to San Gimignano with the unique towers built by some of the early residents to show their wealth. Originally there were as many as seventy two, today only fourteen have survived.

In Assisi we went through the Basilica of Saint Francis, who was born there in 1128 AD. From Assisi we then drove down to Rome.

The highlight of any tour to Rome was seeing the Colosseum. It was built between 70 AD and 80 AD. There we saw the Arch of Constantine and the Roman Forum. We ended our day at Vatican City and a tour of Saint Peter’s Basilica.

This truly was an amazing trip. We saw beautiful Tuscany, tasted Gelatos every day, and had local guides along the way who were knowledgeable and entertaining. A highlight for all of us was the time we spent together with friends who will be our friends long after the trip ended. ~Skip

[Click on any photo to begin slide show. Click on gray “x” in the right corner to return to this page.]

: On our way!

: Home of Puccini in Lucca, Italy

: Puccini Museum, Lucca, Italy

: Many people ride bikes, Lucca.

: Cathedral of San Martino, Lucca

: Pisa, Italy

: Cattedrale di Pisa

: Our group at the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

: In Pisa the Baptistery, Doumo, and the Leaning Tower. Actually all are leaning!

: IL POGGIO, a farm and vineyard in Montecarlo, Italy, offering traditional Tuscan cuisine.

: An opportunity to taste a variety of wines, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, pesto, and local breads and meats.

: Our hotel, ADUA, in Montecatini Terme, Italy

: Florence, Italy at the Galleria dell’Accademia to see a number of Michelangelo’s sculptures

: Michelangelo’s David

: Motorcycles everywhere

: Our guide in Florence was so knowledgeable.

: Medici Palace, Florence

: Ponte Vecchio bridge over the river Arno. Florence.

: Florence is know for its leather trade. We visited a leather shop. This red jacket was ONLY $1,100.00!

: Food vendor in the market place, Florence.

: Need a purse?

: Plaza della Signoria, Madici Palace, Florence.

: Basilica di Santa Croce, Florence. Also market day.

: We HAD to try the REAL Italian Gelato! It is as good as it looks.

: Overlooking Florence.

: Another view of the famous Ponte Vecchio bridge.

: The ladies enjoying our day of leisure at the Tettuccio in Montecatini Terme. The heated water (terme) and the healing mineral waters date back as far as Roman times.

: Beautiful interior

: Interior of Tettuccio

: Roger and Lindahad a great spot for a picture

: Some of the “healing water” fountains

: Great spot for a group picture

: We couldn’t help ourselves. Had to have at least one picture while we were there.

: Narrow streets

: We had to have pizza while in Italy.

: Old manuscript “In the Festival, Blessed Mary Virgin of Mount Carmel”

: Tuscany from the top of Montecatini Alto

: Tuscany at sunset from the top of Montecatini Alto

: Beautiful sunset

: Our group at dinner at IL Guardino, in Montecatini Alto

: Piazza Giuseppe Giusti in Montecatini Alto

: Street in Siena

: The beautiful Duomo di Siena

: Piazza del Campo. This is where the Palio Horse Race takes place each year. There are actually two races: one around July 2, and one around August 16