Italy

Ciao!  Welcome to Italy, our last stop on the European tour.  While this is our last official tour day, I am sure that some more of my favorite pictures will find their way to the blog.

Our time in Italy was spent in Tuscany, which included these beautiful vineyards, San Gimignano, Pisa, Siena, and Florence.  In Florence, we hung out with Michalangelo,  DaVinci and all their buds.  

This is a famous courtyard/building in Siena.  We were told that a scene from the new James Bond movie was shot here, on the top of this building.  Anyone recognize it?  I haven't seen the movie yet.

Since it was winter, most of the landscape was barren.  However, the olive trees were still flourishing.  They are everywhere!  Next time you cook with EVOO, think of these beauties.

Look at these to crazies.  Standing in the rain eating...

GELATO

What better way to end our tour of Europe with a little dessert?!  This stuff comes in every flavor imaginable.  It is so beautifully displayed that I wanted to eat it all... even cantaloupe, which I don't even like.  We were so desperate to taste this delicacy, that we stood out in the cold rain and enjoyed every bite.

Ponte Vecchio

One of Italy's most famous bridges, it crosses the Arno River in Florence.  It is one of the few that didn't get destroyed in WWII.  See those little houses that are on the bridge?  Those are actually jewelry stores.  Each side of the pedestrian bridge is lined with gold, gems and diamonds in every window.  

I come from a long line of strong women, see?

She can hold up the tower with one hand!

I couldn't believe how much the tower actually leans.  It has shifted 5 meters at the top! 

Check out this market.  It is one of the largest fresh food markets in Florence.  Can you imagine shopping like this each day?  The Italians (and many Europeans in large cities) shop on a daily basis, rather than weekly like myself.  While we loved the authenticity, it made me appreciate Super Target and Super Walmart, the one-stop-wonders.
It reminded me of a farmers market (indoors).  There were tons of butchers.  The meat looked so fresh!  I caught a glimpse of some very unappetizing creatures from the sea, though.  We spent over an hour in the market.  We were able to bring home a treasure from here... porchini mushrooms!  

Thank you for joining me on this whirlwind tour.  I hope you've enjoyed it (almost) as much as I have. =)  

Arrivederci!