Our terrific guide, Leonardo Soricelli, met us on the dock in Livorno at 10:00 am in his super comfortable Mercedes. One of the reasons we prefer to engage private tour guides is the capability to set our own agenda.

 

Here’s Tim and Leo in one of the many plazas.

 

 

 

 

 

We like to sleep in and enjoy a leisurely pace …this is only possible when it’s just us…plus we really enjoy each other’s company.

 

 

 

 

 

We headed directly to Pisa for the obligatory photo op. On the way Leo told us a bit about Livorno and other towns that we passed through. The Tuscan scenery was spectacular.

 

 

 

Arriving in Pisa we visited a church that is the home of one of the thorns from Christ’s crown.

 

 

 

 

 

We chose not to climb the tower, but did enjoy watching our fellow tourists taking selfies.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Cathedral and Baptistry are quite large.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is the tower where Galileo famously tested his theory of gravity. It began to tilt during construction in the 12th century due to the soft ground and took 199 years to complete.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I took several photos of the many cool statues, this might be my favorite.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pisa houses a major university, schools of learning are spread through out the city; over 27,000 students attend. We came upon several students celebrating their graduation. The happy graduates wear crowns of laurel leaves on their heads.

 

 

 

 

 

Here’s the tiny church that first held the thorn from Christ’s crown.

 

 

 

Leaving Pisa, we enjoyed more splendid scenery on our way to Florence. Before we entered the city proper, Leo took us to Piazzale Michelangelo, a hilltop terrace with sweeping views.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

David looking pretty sharp framed by clouds.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I climbed up a few steps to take this pic of my sweetheart.

 

 

 

 

So these are chilies in the foreground of this pic of Timmy and Leonardo.

 

 

 

 

Can you stand another pic of the view from Piazzale Michelangelo?

 

 

 

 

 

Back in the city, we strolled the streets recognizing many sites, fondly recalling them from our last visits.

 

We stopped in a leather market and Timmy purchased a belt.

 

 

A bronze of the White Boar…there’s a legend…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here we have the Piazza del Vecchio where we’d spent many afternoons enjoying lunch, Bellinis and people watching. It was so wonderful to be back.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hungry, Leo escorted us to a small restaurant. Osteria del Porcellino. We were the only non Italians and we loved it. Another request that we make of our guides: we prefer to eat the local cuisine with local folks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A nice Chianti.

Caprese…no other description necessary.

Antipasto …cured ham, salami, fried Brie, chicken pate, bruschetta and a sheep’s milk cheese.

 

Pappardelle al sugo di Chinghiale…pasta with wild boar sauce

 

Antonio our patient waiter…he suffered our poor pronunciation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More strolling after lunch. As we’d been to Florence before, we felt no pressure to visit the Uffizi, Accademia nor the inside of the Duomo.

 

Here is a pic of the Duomo…can’t really appreciate the beautiful coloration…pinks and greens.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A living statue in front of an ancient one.

 

 

 

 

 

A bride and groom taking wedding photos.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We crossed the Ponte Vecchio window shopping the jewelry stores.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I don’t remember this carousel

 

 

 

 

 

 

A very famous sweet shoppe

 

 

Leo arranged a private tour and wine tasting at Dianella Winery.

The Medicean villa Dianella dates back to the end of the 16th century and was used by the Medici as a country house for hunting. Its name, Dianella, comes from the name Diana,  the hunting goddess.

 

 

 

Our guide, Samantha explained the various grapes grown on the property.

And gave us a tour of the cellars including some ancient wine making equipment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Samantha explained that the straw wrapping around the Chianti bottle is called a “fiasco”, intended to protect the thin glass…many years ago a large shipment of Chianti arrived in England…every bottle broken…a definite fiasco.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The estate grows and produces olive oil.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We were surprised to learn that in addition to oak and stainless steel barrels, the winemaker has resurrected and refurbished the estates ancient concrete casks.  Yes, concrete!

 

 

 

 

 

 

We tasted three wines; a rose, a medium bodied blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon and finally my favorite: Chianti Reserva.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Many, many thanks to Samantha for a lovely time, and to Leonardo for working his magic and making this special treat happen.