Tuscany   

      After arriving in France, Air France flew me to Florence Italy. Room is 70 Euros not bad, at Hotel Bolagna has everything needed. After touring Palazza Pitte which is a palace was built in 1448. It is a museum, with beautiful gardens.

      Visited L'arte Firesye Di Dante 1250-1300. Such beautiful art works displayed here, very old. Back to room. Had Lamb, red potatoes, and a great Salad, with veggies. Excellent wine (Chiante). I sat outside with some very strong coffee.

      Leonardo Da Vinci was born here in 1452. Florence is on the banks of the river Arno. Visited church of Santa Maria Novella built 1246, been restored several times.

      Well after arriving in Cortona and met me friends and to their home. After a great supper of Roast Pork, all types of Salads, wine, shrimp, pasta. Ice Cream and apple pie.

      We visited the Etruscan town goes back to the 5th century. Famous painters like Luca Signorelli, Pietro Berrettini de Cortona. to Gino Serterini. Seen plenty museums and art works over thousands years old.

      Visited Ponzanello Castle this was in the years of feuding families of Malaspina Here in Tuscany and is near the Mediterranean Sea. Great beaches, not far from where you can ski.

      While in Tuscany was taken to Pisa Lucca Pistoia had a nice lunch on the Ligurian Sea. Supper was Tajerin all albese or Tagliayelle and filled with thick sauce and pieces of chicken liver and beef. Wine was Langhe Doc Favorita. Desert a nice chocolate rum pudding.

      Visited to Aperitif started in 1786 over w30 white wine, and alot of red. Had a Buffet of cheeses cold cuts, sea food and beef, all types of deserts. I went for the Agnolotte fresh pasta filled with meat. Plenty chocolate around all types.

      At Cortona stayed with another family, supper was WOW Lasagne, anchovie pie, Salads, veggies, and excellent rum cake. Heading for Venice next.