Varenna, Lake Como- A magical place!

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Varenna, Lake Como is breath-taking in its beauty!!  This is the view from our private patio, which is accessed via 2 glass funiculars up the mountain + an elevator ride 6 more floors...not for those scared of heights:) 

quaint, cobblestone paths ....small restaurants and small boutique stores line the walkways..

Hillside houses ( and the funicular is up there somewhere) 

Steep stone stairs leading to the lake ( and the ferry to other towns- like Bellagio)

It was a lovely respite from the hustle and bustle of Florence and Venice; I didn't want to leave.

Venice and the island of Burano

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The Grand Canal of postcard fame

Waterway outside the grand canal ( near our apartment)

gondolier :  you can almost hear him singing:)

vaporetto ( no singing, just lots of folks)

Quintessential Venice!   Jan taking it all in....

Burano Island: lace artisans and colorful homes

Scenes of Siena, Italy

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Siena, down in "wine country" is serene and bucolic and filled with glimpses of life hundreds of years ago.

Our hotel: B & B Palazzo Bruchi ( a palace owned by very rich folks)...beautiful view; nice rooms; gorgeous breakfast room, complete with Venetian glass chandeliers.

The Square - center of town- and the palio race track.....the palio horse race is only a mile long ( 3 x around the square, but is a huge competition to see who gets the flag- palio; the contrade - "neighborhood" that wins is awarded the flag and much esteem.  "Our contrade" won it this year...yeah for us!!  Except that the party was the night before we arrived ; guess the invitation was lost in the mail:)

Toasting Siena..and the palio

And..David eating gelatto..yunmmy!  

 

A Glimpse of Chianti, Italy

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Lovely street scene

wine country and tour

enjoying the "fruit of the vine,"

The Vines,

wine cellar with lots of old,old wine,

good time tasting the wine

Chianti is beautiful and relaxing and filled with lots of delicious wine.

Our guide for the day, Todd, was fun and informative and brought us to the prime spots for tasting.