Jun 6, 2009 - Siena

Today we traveled to Siena. It was very frustrating finding the correct train. Eventually we found it and made the first train. The countryside is breathtaking. We transfered to another train in Chiusi (pronounsed skoozi). It was a short wait but long enough to grab a bite to eat. The train ride was long and it was very hard to be patient. We finally made it to Siena and had to catch a bus. We got on a bus and lucked out 'cause we didn't have to pay. It runs different here so you need a card that gets stamped. No one asked for one so we got...

Jun 4, 2009 - Finished with Roma

So it has been a few days since I have written but can assure you that my time was well spent. Lauren and I have been in Rome for the past 4 days and are finally heading to Greece tonight. Rome has been great, it certainly is a big city and totally has that feel. Although we were warned by everyone to watch our things in Rome we never felt too unsafe, we honestly felt more uneasy about things in Florence. Rome started off on a sour note for us and thankfully became better. After arriving in Italy almost 10 days ago Lauren and I both...

May 30, 2009 - Off to Roma tomorrow

Siena is a great little city, not too much of a night life but it has proven to be all the relaxation that we need. Lauren and I are still talking about how amazing our Hostel is and cant believe the price we paid for it. The deal continues to get even better as we found out this morning that breakfast is included. And we are not talking about any cereal and toast here...we were directed to a Cafe where we could choose from their selection of pastry's and what ever hot beverage we pleased...standard croissant and Caffe Latte please. Due to...

May 29, 2009 - Trains have been my life.

Wow, what a whirl wind trip the past few days again. When Lauren and I left Florence our next destination was Cinque Terre...a very interesting city to pronounce and we have certainly heard some messed up attempts. In order to get to Cinque Terre or RioMaggiore which is where we stayed, our train traveled through Pisa. So guess what we did...yep we went to the leaning tower of Pisa and took some cheesy tourist photos. What amazed both of us was actually how much the tower leans, the pictures do not do it justice. Surprisingly, Lauren and I...

May 27, 2009 - Another week of surprises and delight!

HI folks, Here we are finally at an internet site! This time in Paestum, the 5th century BC Greek colonial ruins on the Salerno Coast. We have had a pleasant 2 days on the Amalfi Coast, and a great visit with Salima-s italian 4th cousins in Laurino, and a quiet stroll through the Greek ruins today. Salima will now take over the posting! ps: there are many photos whose thumbnails didn!t seem as spectacular as what we shot. richard Hi everyone, It has been much harder than I imagined to post....finding a computer site and the open hours when...

May 20, 2009 - Tuscany: Woods, Vineyards, Avenues of Cypress, and Villas

Hike # 4 Our hike commenced at the stone-paved church square in the quaint hillside village of Panazano in the Greve region of Chianti. Parishoners were going to mass as we made our way up the inclined streets and past the world's best butcher, Dario Cecchini's streetside shop (really is true according to Google), the local school with the sounds of inquirying voices, then out towards a ridge overlooking medieval villages and Tuscan villas. Far below and across many valleys, our lunch destination was pointed out by our guide- an olive...

May 19, 2009 - Siena: A Walk Through Tuscany's Town of the Palio

We arrived in Siena, the Town of the Palio, around 10:45, not by foot, but by transport. The entire day was free for our own itineries until 7:00 pm, when we met for dinner. The Duomo (1136-1382)was where I began my day, and it took a great deal of time to take in the history, frescos, paintings, sculptures, and marble floor tiles depicting religious and Sienese historic scenes. This impressive white and black marble Middle Ages cathedral (1229-1263, the Facciatone was never completed)has an impressive entrance of white marble steps,...

May 12, 2009 - Tuscany, Italy

TUSCANY ITALY (Travel Tips are bolded) Today was a magical day in so many ways. We had made arrangements with friends from California, Barbie and Paul Casanova, who have a vineyard in Italy to meet on a certain day, but had not finalized specifics of time and exact place. They had recommended staying in Radda and Jan found what sounded like a nice hotel in town, the Relais Fattoria Vignale. Upon arriving in Radda we spotted the hotel and found it to be the idyllic Tuscany style hotel with thick stone walls, tiled floors, large fireplaces,...

Apr 27, 2009 - A Touch of Heaven

Today started the most wonderful wake up call you could ever imagine! I woke up at 7:00 to more than 10 birds chirping outside our window. The sun was not bright, and was dimmed by the soft mosquito netting over the bed, but the light was coming in though the windows, and I must admit...I wanted to box it up and save some of the "wonderfulness" for later. Once we were finally up, we had the most wonderful breakfast, complete with coffee. I could not have told you how much I love coffee until now. I have not been able to have a good cup of...

Apr 26, 2009 - Siena Take One

Today seemed like a very long day. It all started when I got up with the sun, in order to get us ready, packed and to the bus station to buy our tickets. We were given the tip that the bus can get really crowded, even sell out, so we arrived 30 minutes early. Needless to say, the bus was not sold out. There were only 5 of us on the bus to Siena, not sure how they really made money as it was a 3 hour bus ride. Pictures from the Rainy Bus Ride to Siena The weather was not in our favor for the day, as there was a 90% chance of showers in...

Apr 8, 2009 - Day 6, Siena

Disclaimer: This blog was never really meant for anyone to read other than Eunice and I as a way to remember every day of our trip, but if you happen to be here, welcome! Be prepared for some internal jokes or jargon that only Eunice and I use though. :) --- Woke up in the morning, and decided to visit the Basilica near our hotel. It wasn’t anything fancy, lots of pigeon droppings, and there was no mass, but the church was nice and quiet with few individuals streaming in and out while we were there. This was followed by visits to the...

Apr 7, 2009 - Day 5, Siena

Disclaimer: This blog was never really meant for anyone to read other than Eunice and I as a way to remember every day of our trip, but if you happen to be here, welcome! Be prepared for some internal jokes or jargon that only Eunice and I use though. :) --- We reached Siena after our detour in Pisa. I didn’t know much about Siena until Eunice told me about this town. Considered the best preserved medieval city, this is a declared World Heritage Site! Florentine rule in the 16th century kind of wiped out most of the local population, and...