Hi Steemers.
I usually write about cryptocurrencies (NAV Coin) But this time I want to share one of the best weeks of my life.
With my wife's siblings we decided to spend a week in the lovely region of Tuscany, Italy.
We live in Edinburgh. Sun and heat is something we don't know much about it... And having a break before those two days of summer seemed to be a good idea...
So we got ready!
After a choppy 2 hours delayed flight the first view of Pisa was delightful! A great Omen of good times to come!!!
Well...getting the AVIS rental car sorted took a long time! (If you are planning to go to Italy bear in mind workers over the desk take their time!!!
By the time we got all sorted, Cellphone was at 40%!!! A few weeks ago I've got a confirmation by my telephone line provider that Europe will be covered for free roaming. I was OK then! Two phones, one with GPS loaded at 40% and other at 90% with no GPS maps but with roaming data. Anyways...First lesson here: MAKE SURE YOU ACTUALLY ACTIVATE THE ROAMING BEFORE YOU LEAVE!
With roaming blocked we were in troubles!
Reusa, on where our villa was located was far away!!! Almost 1.5 hours drive. We had to do an emergency stop in a town called Aula to charge my cellphone battery.
Lucky us there was one bar open and we managed to charge it.
We arrived at midnight, after leaving home at 2pm. Long long trip.
Anyways! then the morning arrived!
This time we decided to rent a villa, and lucky us we landed here:
http://www.casadellaquercia.com/
I can't describe with words the feeling of waking up in such a lovely place. Don't trust my pictures! they don't translate that well such lovely views!!!
1st day (Sunday) was mostly chilling at the pool. My son could stopped playing and playing...
Finally it was time for a refreshing bath and thinking about dinner!
![IMG_20170604_175904.jpg]
(
We decided to go through the hills to the lovely village of Fivizzano. Lucky us there was a Food festival!!!! Managed to find some Argentinian street food and speak some Spanish!
Monday arrived and it was time to hit the road. We chose the city/town of Lucca for our first adventure.
A not so bad drive first through the mountains and then the ''Autostrada''
![Screen Shot 2017-06-12 at 14.33.36.png]
(
Lucca is a city with a huge wall (still intact) covering it's perimeter. We were starving...So we looked for the main ''Piazza''
![IMG_20170605_130523-EFFECTS.jpg]
(
![IMG_20170605_144705.jpg]
(
Lovely Italian Calzone for me! Pasta for the rest of the family. The restaurants on the street had sprinklers so we were fresh at least.
After lunch we decided to climb the main tower. They promised fantastic views. And they were right!
On the way back I noticed the main entrance to the walled town was made of Marble! Oh well...we are close to Carrara after all...
Tuesday was a chilled out day. I was so relaxed I didn't even bothered to take pictures!!! Pool, sun, great food, fresh air and a bell tower was my whole afternoon.
Wednesday was the highlight of our week. While my in laws rented a boat and sail through La Spezia, we decided to hit the road again and fulfill one of my dreams. The be in Firenze! (Florence)
I did a bit of research with the 1 mbp speed provided by the villa and found out the best way to start an adventure in Firenze is to see it from above.
We set up our sat nav to ''Piazzale Michelangelo'' and this is what we saw!!!
This view almost made me cry! The Duomo and the Puente Vecchio right there! for a renaissance lover this moment was priceless. For my wife and kid the Ice creams were as important...
I really wanted to start moving. TIP: Traffic in Florence is a mess. Parking in Florence is a double mess! We ended up paying for a parking garage and walk a bit.
Narrow streets, Palaces, Churches, Good Food. Florence has it all. I really can't wait to be back and visit those museums. I didn't even got upset of not having time to see the David. (Actually we saw the ''Fake'' one)
![IMG_20170607_144605.jpg]
(
Art, art, art, beautiful architecture. I could post hundreds of pictures but I just want to leave there so you guys can see it with your own eyes. Florence is gorgeous. The atmosphere, breathing history. It was a day to remember!!!
Back to Reusa the next day again chilling out. We managed to visit a little town called ''Equi'' on where there is a lovely group of caverns and thermal waters. Unlucky us the whole complex was closed for the day. Still it didn't stop me from taking some pictures!
![IMG_20170609_124750.jpg]
(
Our last stop before coming back home was Pisa. Yes the ''Tower'' What a pain to take pictures there! Everybody posing and in your way!
It was super hot and we were gutted about coming back. Lovely architecture. My final thoughts were about the price of the home insurance of the house next to the tower...I guess it must be a lot!!!
![IMG_20170610_150624.jpg]
(
And yes!!! we have a picture of us holding it back. Why not!!!!????
And that's it. A lovely week in Tuscany.
Thanks for reading and feel free to comment.
PEACE for all!
J