Tuscany & Siena
Tour Day 7
Etruscans & Tuscan cooking
4,148 Steps of Learning
Up and at it early, and snug on our bus, we had as our final destination the Tuscany countryside! Our first stop along the way was Chianciano Terme and the Etruscan Museum. Our local guide was none other than Roberto Bechi, and he did a superb job presenting interesting Etruscan artifacts and what is known of their pre-Roman way of life. Roberto is known for his splash of humor to keep it light -- but also make it informative.
Our next stop, Agriturismo La Pietriccia, where we meet Stefano for the much anticipated Tuscan cooking lesson. After a little orientation we divided into teams and donned white gowns and caps. Each group would prepare an element of our lunch. Laura and Lynda were in the group preparing the sausage, and together had to fill the casings. This was a Deja Vu moment, going back to a college and a course where we had completed this very same same task together! Who would have guessed back then that a college meat lab would come in handy 40 years later in Italy!?
With our lesson and lunch complete, we departed for our Tuscan countryside hotel, the Belvedere San Leonino.
The perfect Italian countryside hotel, located in the Chianti wine region, surrounded by vineyards and landscaped grounds. In this setting you can not resist the "La Dolce Vita". You must just sit back and just take it all in.
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Tour Day 8
Siena & Chianti
13,820 Steps of Experiences
Day two of the La Dolce Vita experience.
A relaxing breakfast outside on the patio, soaking up the morning sun and the beauty of the Tuscan hills. We followed this up with a group stroll out and around the vineyards. What a amazing way to to start your day!
Today we set off to experience the Tuscan town of Siena. Tricia led the way as we wondered up narrow cobblestone lanes, with towering old stone buildings. Siena is a larger hill town compared to the others we have visited. We climb up and around into the old town, past the Duomo (Basilica of San Domenico) and then into the square, II Campo. With plenty of free time for lunch and exploring Siena, we found a nice cafe on the shady side of the Campo. A great way to just take in the sites and the people, all while enjoying some classic Italian pizza. We wandered the narrow shop filled streets, explored interior of the Duomo....and yes... capped our Siena experience with some gelato.
After returning to our hotel in the Tuscan countryside, many of us found our way to the gardens overlooking the vineyard and the hillsides beyond. A refreshing Spritz was the drink of choice for most of us, as we enjoyed the company of one another.
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 Estruscan Museum |  Local guide, Roberto Bechi, at the Etruscan Muesuem |  Stefano & Tuscan cooking |
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 Hands on cooking lesson with Stefano. |  The product of our hands on cooking lesson. |  A refreshing sprintz is perfect after a warm afternoon. |
 Siena |  II Campo, Siena |  Seina |
 Chianti wine anyone? |  |  |
 The grounds of our Tuscany hotel |  The grounds of our Tuscany countryside hotel. |  The Tuscany countryside |