Monday, December 7, 2009

Day Six in Italy!

Day Six in Italy was a packed with adventure...so brace yourselves...I have lots of pictures and stories to share today! We decided to take a country drive and visit three separate cities: Certaldo, Sam Gimignano, and Pisa. The weather was beautiful! It was the first time the sun had shone in days and the temperature was a perfect 70 degrees! As we drove through the countryside looking at all the beautiful views of Tuscany, I could not even think of enough adjectives to describe the beauty of the land....all the rolling hills filled with vineyards, the mountains, the gorgeous Terra cotta colors from the villas dotting the landscape, the fall foliage...everything was just so beautiful. I drove with the car window down just enjoying the breeze, the sun, and the warmth. It felt so good to be warm again after freezing for several days.

The first city we stopped at was a medieval city called Certaldo. It was beautiful...filled with narrow roads and walk ways of stone paths, and all medieval buildings. Anny told us they have a medieval festival in this city where the locals dress up in medieval costumes, put on shows, and serve food that was probably eaten during the time period. Wouldn't that have been to see?

What I liked most about this city was how I could see the tops of the Terra cotta roofs in this town. I could just imagine the Hunchback of Notre Dame jumping from roof to roof. And there were so many cats! If you don't already know, I am a huge cat lover and I loved seeing the cats everywhere. How I envied them though as they basked in the warmth of the sun and strolled among the olive trees. What a life!

Here is a picture of me on a higher level of the city overlooking part of the rest of the city and the countryside outside the city. Here are some of the gorgeous rooftops of Certaldo.

I just love all the vines in Italy! What a beautiful stone wall and ancient door too!


Here is a picture of Pam and Anny walking up a narrow street.


Another narrow street.





And yet another narrow street. Oh, how I'd love to live here!




Don't you just love all the brick and stone work in Italy!



More Terra cotta roof lines! What great opportunities for photographers! Its impossible to take a bad picture here!










Here is a picture of restaurant. You can eat outside in the garden (under the arch) too.









This is the town well. Isn't is gorgeous?





Here is a view looking down one of the streets.











From Certaldo we then drove to the city of San Gimignano. Like most medieval cities, San Gimignano sits on top of a hill and is surrounded by walls. This is the entrance to the city.








San Gimignano is known as the city of Towers, because there are many tall towers in this city for the medieval soldiers to keep guard.
Here is view of one of the city streets.


















This town is filled with many quaint gift shops and restaurants. Here is an Italian pottery shop.











And here is a meat market. Wild pig is very popular in Italy. They hunt pigs there like we hunt deer in America.














Look at these beautiful aged windows and stonework.


















And this is San Gimignano's Piazza and well. How beautiful!












We climbed, and climbed, and climbed to get to the top of the city and enjoy the gorgeous view. Here is one of the narrow, stone staircases we had to climb.















And here I am at the top enjoying this magnificent view.



















Pam and I at the top of San Gimignano.
















Our last stop for the day was the city of Pisa. It was getting late, and I was hoping to get there before dark, but we barely made it. The sun was setting as we arrived. But I still enjoyed myself and enjoyed seeing the city at night too. I LOVED Pisa. It reminded of New York...it was a big city filled people of many different cultures. It seemed to be the dirtiest and scariest city we went to, but that was part of the attraction of the city to me. Odd, I know. Pisa, like Florence, is located on the Arno River and had a beautiful view of the Arno River. I especially loved it at night when the lanterns lined the walkways and bridges and reflected in the water below.



Here is a picture of a typical city street in Pisa.






















Pisa is closer to the Ocean, so they have more tropical foliage plants there and palm trees. I just love the color and architecture of this home.























Here is a view of the Arno River at sunset. Oh, how the colors of the setting sun enhance the already beautiful Tuscan colors of the buildings.



















Another beautiful building. I just love that peachy-orange color combined with the green shutters. How striking!
























Here is another city street in Pisa.
























And finally we arrived at the Leaning Tower. Pam was shocked at how short it was. I thought it looked just as I imagined it to be and what I saw in storybooks. And its really not that short. I think its all about perspective. Just look at the building behind it and how huge that building is. The tower is in front, so it appears shorter, but its just as tall at the cathedral behind it.
























Here is a closeup. What beautiful architecture and carvings on this magnificent work of art! I love the white stone too.
























Here is a better view of the Pisa and the Cathedral, so you can see its really not that short as it appears.



























And finally, the Arno River at night.























Well that is all for today's post. Wednesday will be my very last Italy post, for it was the last full day we spent in Italy. Have a great day! Amy









4 comments:

  1. Goodness, what beautiful sights! You are so blessed to have taken that trip! Thank you for being kind enough to share with us! I've loved seeing your photo's! Have a great day!

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  2. Wow!! What a beautiful place!! Thanks for sharing the photos and stories!! I envy your opportunity to go there.
    ~Chris

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  3. WOW what beautiful sights you got to see! I'm so jealous! Certainly a trip you'll never forget (in so many ways)!!

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  4. Wow. What great buildings. And how fun that you were able to visit one tourist trap - the leaning tower. I've heard that it's the olive oil consumption that keeps Italians fit but I'm guessing from seeing your photos that it's really all the walking up and down hills and bicycling.

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