SIENA

Our trip took us next to the lovely medieval Siena, which during the 12th and 13th centuries was one of the largest and richest cities in the world. In an unrivaled period of building, an extraordinary range of palaces, grandiose townhouses and piazzas were built.  The main square, the Campo, is one of the most beautiful.  The most impressive site in Siena is its magnificent cathedral.  Built from black and white marble, it contains intricate carvings by the great master himself, Michelangelo.  The floor is comprised of thousands of pieces of stone creating a unique inlaid pavement.

During the journey to and from Siena we traveled through the Tuscan countryside, with its rolling hills and isolated farmhouses, studded with tall cypress trees and hill-top villages.

Another special highlight for us was dinner at a restaurant in a tiny medieval village.  The restaurant itself offers amazing views over the golden hued countryside below.  Produce is truly local, grown in a garden plat right next to the restaurant.  The whole family is involved with the day’s work of creating the most amazing authentic Tuscan food you could ever find.

SAN GIMIGNANO - VERAZZANO

Our next stop was to San Gimignano, a stunning hilltop Tuscan town whole skyline is marked by a series of 12th century medieval defensive towers.  San Gimignano is beautifully rural with wonderful views of the surrounding countryside.  The superbly preserved town evokes images of medieval Tuscany better than anywhere else in the province. It is famous for its centuries-old craft of alabaster carvings which adorn the region’s cathedrals.

We then visit probably the most beautiful winery in the whole of Italy – the famous Castello di Verazzano (www.verrazzano.com) - once home to Geovanni di Verrazzano, who discovered the Bay of New York and to whom the Verazzano Bridge in New York City is dedicated.  The medieval castle-like structure clings to a hill top, dominating the countryside below and is surrounded by sweeping vines. We enjoyed a wonderful regional lunch, which was followed by a tour and explanation of the art of winemaking.  And of course it wouldn’t be complete without a tasting!

TUSCANY - VENICE

From Florence we took the train to Venice, where we began our visit with a walking tour to see St. Mark’s Square and its Basilica, the Campanile, Doge’s Palace and many other places of interest. We stayed at the Plaza Hotel (http://www.hotelplazavenice.com/) in Venice-Mestre, just across the lagoon on the mainland.

St. Mark’s Basilica was amazing.  It was built to house the relics of St. Mark, himself – it is Europe’s most exotic cathedral with opulent external decorations.  Inside there are 40,000 square feet of detailed mosaics containing every color of the rainbow. The blend of colored marble columns, gold and red painting, and bas-reliefs combine to create one of the world’s most beautiful buildings.

Adjacent to the Basilica is the Doge’s Palace, home of the ‘Doge’, the most powerful man in Venice, a job to which one was elected for life. The Palace was also the seat of government councils and courts, as well as the prisons. The amazing building is filled with intricate wood carvings, and the floor is inlaid with exotic woods from all over the known world, as far afield as Japan, with the walls and ceilings exquisitely decorated with paintings, frescoes and gold leaf.

Of course, the only way to really see Venice and its unique architecture is from the water – and what better than a gondola trip.  These beautiful boats are crafted from 300 individual pieces of wood. We also “joined the locals” on the Vaporetto, the public ‘bus’ that winds its way down the Grand Canal.