Italy
We spent the next three nights in a large B&B, Il Casale del Cotone, near San Gimignano (San Gee-mean yawn-o).
Breakfast was normally served outside on the terrace.
On Wednesday we drove over to Pisa in the morning. Here is Alison in the almost required pose
and here is the church and the tower.
Again driving through repzo, we spent the afternoon wondering
around in San Gimignano. Part of the charm of this small town is the
narrow streets and great shops. Another part is not knowing what you might
find there. A few years ago Gail and I happened to hear a very good flute
player at work in a piazza. This year Gail and Alison heard this choral
group from the United States perform in the Cathedral.
While they were enjoying the music and Teresa was enjoying the shops, I climbed
to the top of the tallest tower in a town noted for its towers. Of
course, those who have visited know that this isn't a major athletic event, the
tallest tower only being about five or six stories high. Anyway, here is
the main street of San Gimignano as seen from the tower.
Thursday we devoted to Florence (Firenze on Italian maps). It was a good thing we planned on spending the day there as we had a heck of a time finding a parking place. Next time we'll park outside of town and take a train, bus, or cab into town.
You can't go to Florence without checking out David, even if you have seen it
before. 
The Ponte Veccio (that's the bridge in the background) is the home to a bunch of
shops selling gold jewelry. Another must stop. In addition, there
are museums by the score, leather shops (quite pricey) and numerous other places
to spend your money.
I took this picture in Florence but it could just as easily be taken in any Italian city.
I included it here because Teresa and Alison were so impressed by the riders of
these machines.
We spent Friday driving from San Gimignano back to Naples, well, Monte di Procida which is on the northern outskirts of Naples. Since we went north on the Autostrada, we came back south on the coast road, stopping in Sperlonga to enjoy narrow alleys, a great view, and the mural that tells the story of the Saracen and the Maid from Sperlonga.
Since we were on the coast road, we couldn't resist stopping in
Formia to see if our old house was still there. It is and is looking fine.
