Day 295: Tuscany Farm Tours and More

This morning we woke up and watched the sunrise over the vineyard. Breakfast began at 8am so we got ready and made our way to eat. We enjoyed fresh eggs, bacon and fruit. Maddie and Caleb also enjoyed cereal and yogurt, which are favorites anywhere. 

After breakfast we ventured into the store and purchased a lot of goodies. However, shipping wine to Poland was incredibly expensive, so I had to settle on buying a few small bottles instead. 

We went on a vineyard tour shortly after we did our shopping and learned all about the vineyard, food, and what the process of making the wine and olive oil was. 

The vineyard (also a farm) contains over 3,000 olive trees. The olives are handpicked during harvest and then extra virgin olive oil is produced. The farm itself consists of roughly 250 acres and about 50 acres is used for the vineyards. Some of the grapes are handpicked for the reserved wines, but other grapes being used for house wines are picked by machines. 

We also met the cows that are raised for their beef and the kids were able to feed and pet them. We also learned of the different processes that the wine takes, which was very interesting. 

Once the tour was over, we walked back up to the main area and took many, many photos while we awaited our taxi. When we departed the vineyard we headed to San Gimignano and walked through some of the oldest skyscrapers in the world. We couldn't stay long, but we were there long enough to enjoy the award winning gelato that has recently won the title of the world's best. 

After the gelato and failed attempt to find a piece of artwork we lived, we boarded our bus back to Florence. We had to changeover at one station, but after that the ride was pretty seamless and we made our way back to Florence. 

We had about 4 hours to spare before we boarded our train to Rome so we found a place to sit for an afternoon lunch. We found a great spot on a side street and actually ran into some people from Poland and California. This made the 3rd couple we had met in Italy who was from Cali. 

After lunch we walked through various vendors looking at leather bags and ultimately seeking artwork and magnets. We lucked out on the magnets but we were unsuccessful with the rest. 

We eventually made our way back to the train station and took in the beauty of Bascilica di Santa Maria Novella from across the street. We then found a place to sit down inside the station where we could enjoy a cappuccino and await on our train. 

When we boarded the train we found our seats and got situated for the 1.5 hour ride. We then found our metro and made our way to the apartment. 

During our walk, we passed the coliseum and stopped to take in its beauty. It was huge! We walked about five minutes to our apartment.

Once we arrived, we received all of the information we thought we would need and got a few recommendations for our stay. The kids and I then took showers and got ready for bed. 

Overall, today has been amazing. We thoroughly enjoyed our vineyard experience and we cannot wait to see what Rome has in store for us. 

Day 294: Touring Florence and Having Dinner in Tuscany

This morning everyone was up and going fairly early. We got up, dressed, and made our way down a few stores from the apartment to a cafe that served crepes, waffles, bagels, and coffee. We filled up and then made our way to the Duomo. 

The Duomo was beautiful. The clock above the entrance was designed in the 1400s and the dome was painted in the 1500s. We took our time seeing all of its beauty and walked back to the apartment to get our luggage and turn in the keys. 

The walk back was fun, as we detoured a few times into leather stores. The leather was beautiful, and definitely made me contemplate getting a few more items. 

After we picked up our bags we walked down to the water and saw some of the bridges. It was very nice, but not the prettiest of sites. 

We passed a few amazing pieces of architecture and found a place behind the train station for lunch. We enjoyed the atmosphere and food and then made our way to the bus station. 

Mr. America 

This is how we roll. In addition, I carry Maddie, the camera bag, and my purse. My next invention: the lazy kid carrier. 

We arrived at the station and purchased tickets. Multiple times we were told to get on the "rapido" bus. After getting on that bus and going more than half way, we learned we were on the wrong bus. We went past our destination of Poggibonsi and made it to Siena before we could catch another bus back. 

So, after arriving in Siena, we took a ten minute break as we waited on the next bus and the loaded up all of our stuff and found seats. It wasn't a terrible ride, but definitely longer than we hoped for. 

Our ultimate destination is a vineyard about 5 miles outside of San Gimignano. This place came highly recommended and we couldn't come to Italy and not stay at a vineyard. 

When we found the right location, and finally made it to the vineyard, we checked in and got ready for our 8pm family style dinner. This was one of the things I was most excited for and I certainly was not disappointed. The views were breathtaking and we couldn't have asked for a better scenic location. 

The food being served was all organic and came directly from their farm. We started with appetizers, salad, and then pork loin as the main course. We enjoyed their vineyard wine and the dessert was great as well. We sat at a table with other couples celebrating anniversaries. Daniel happened to be wearing a UGA shirt and the other couples happened to be fellow SEC fans. I think that made dinner an even better experience and added to the conversation. We thoroughly enjoyed the entire experience and couldn't have dreamt of a better experience. 

After dinner, we made our way back to our room and turned in for the night. 

We plan on doing a tour of the farm in the morning and we'll then go back to Florence. We've been amazed so far with the sight of Tuscany; it'll be hard to top it. 

Goodnight all. 

Day 293: Venice and Florence

This morning we woke up and got all of our luggage packed and left for breakfast. We found a great coffee bar in Saint Mark's Square and we stopped there to enjoy crossiants and cappuccino. 

We walked down by the water and shopped for souvenirs. We shortly boarded our boat and made our way down to the train station. 

When we arrived to the train station we checked out bags and found a place to eat lunch. We walked down a few ally ways and came to a quaint area with a few restaurants and enjoyed a lovely lunch. We had various types of pasta and salad, and enjoyed some wine and a lot of water. It was quite warm outside, which was so nice since the sun is hiding from Warsaw. 

After lunch we made our way to the train station and waited on our train. Once it arrived, we found our seats and got prepared for the two hours we had to go. 

The train ride was nice, and Maddie took a nice nap. We arrived a little later than expected, but we found our way through the station and took a taxi to our apartment. 

Once we arrived we put our luggage where it needed to be and asked the landlord where a good place to get steak florentine was. He told us, so we took a taxi there. 

When we got to the restaurant, Perseus, I noticed the Polish pottery on the tables. It was a nice surprise. The original waiter, I say that because he sold us everything and then never came back, recommend some of their popular dishes and which vegetables would go best with them. 

As you enter the restaurant you could see all of the meat in the case as well as the cheese and vegetables. I knew I couldn't face it (thanks to my slaughter house childhood), and I knew deep down they wouldn't cook my steak how I wanted it. After ordering the food, I asked the question of how well the steak could be cooked and the man replied, "it's only cooked to rare." I was disappointed, and banked on eating a lot of vegetables and bread.

When the steak came, the guys were happy to see the anount of steak being offered, and Rhonda and I were excited to take it home and cook it some more. I did try a few bites and it was good, but it was pretty raw and that's definitely not for me. 

The men ate a feast and the rest of us soaked in the atmosphere. At least the wine was delicious! I wouldn't trade the atmosphere or experience with anything, but I can't help that I want the food cooked the way I want. That's just the American in me. 

After dinner we took a taxi back to the apartment and took showers and got ready for the next day. Rhonda cooked up the steak that we took back and we ate some of the steak from dinner, cooked to our preference. It was pretty tasty! 

We decided to call it a night since it was so late, and I crashed as I was getting Maddie down. 

We have a big day tomorrow, but we have definitely enjoyed Italy so far.