San Gimignano - Tuscany

Our next stop was the hill town of San Gimignano. Originally we were going to head to Siena, but we wanted to take a scenic route and experience a bit more of the Tuscany hill country...and so we didn't make it there. Navigation systems are great - but they usually take you on the fastest, most direct route - and since we wanted the "back roads" route it took us a bit to program into the navi the route we wanted...or thought we wanted! We ended up in San Gimignano, a lovely little hill town. Had fun walking around and ended up staying for supper...enjoying the food and the wine.

Along the route - beautiful views.

Walking around town...

San Gimignano is know for its towers. Originally it had about 60 towers - today there are only 14. Before the town had walls to protect it - the wealthy families would build towers to protect themselves....and to show their pomp and power.

A few more pictures from around town. It was very picturesque. We ate outside in the main town square. It was nice to sit and relax - and enjoy the food and wine - and of course some icecream too.

So many wines....

After supper we let the kids run around in the town square for a bit. In the center is the town well.

The kids by the town well. Shaylee was hanging over the edge - can you see the indents where her fingers are? These were made by the ropes over time as they pulled the water buckets up over the edge...pretty cool.

We then headed back to the car - and back on the road -as we had about another hour or so before getting to our hotel. What a day it has been. Long - but good...very good! Rome tomorrow!

The Leaning Tower of Pisa

Wednesday, October 28, 2009 - we got up early, drove through Switzerland, and were in Italy by about 7:30am! We still had a few hours to drive before getting to our first destination - the Leaning Tower of Pisa. We hit traffic around Milan - but fortunately it only set us back about an hour. We then hit fog - and remember it being very foggy in Italy the last time we were here (back in April). We were now hoping that it would clear off by the time we got to Pisa. No worries - it was a beautiful day!

Our first glimpse of the tower - let's go check it out!

The kids each took turns "holding up" the tower. It was amazing how many other tourists were taking similar photos...it was actually quite amusing....

We got a family shot too....

The tower - is definately LEANING....I thought I'd lean against it too....just to give it a bit more support while we were there!

You can walk right around the base (you can also climb it - but we didn't). It is such an amazing site...you are quite surprised that it hasn't fallen over!

We walked all the way around - here is a veiw from the otherside - so it is leaning the other direction...and this was the best picture I could get of Silas with the tower! He looks in awe right?!?

We took a little rest on the marble steps and sat in the sunshine! Silas was playing with a little toy car on the marble. I'm not sure how many people walking by almost stepped on him or his little car. And Shane had some fun of his own with the camera....I think he was trying to straighten the tower!

Deidesheim

Saturday, October 24 - we headed to the little town of Deidesheim in the Rhineland Pfalz area. We were spending the day with 2 families (co-workers of Jeremy's) that have vineyards around Deidesheim. They were taking us on a little tour (tractor and wagon ride) through the vineyards.

After the ride through the vineyards we stopped off at their family cellar for some wine tasting!

Then we went on a walking tour through Deidesheim. It is such a quaint little German town.

The kids at a park, which we stopped off at during the tractor/wagon ride.

Shane found some HUGE leaves.

There is a fountain in Deidesheim which tells of the yearly tradition of a local farmer bringing a goat to Deidesheim to be auctioned off. The money then goes to support the town. This tradition has been going on for over 600 years!

We ended the day with supper together at the home of one of the families. The kids played great together and we enjoyed eating and drinking great wine and having just a wonderful time!