Ger’s 4-day Trip to Tuscany: The Photos
 

Hello all:

Many thanks to those who helped me plan my four day trip to Tuscany and those who did so unknowingly, by posting wonderful trip reports, rich with detail and experiences, which I read voraciously and thoroughly enjoyed. This site is a far better resource to experience the tastes, smells and atmosphere of the destination than any guide book every written.

I'd like to single out Stu Dudley for special mention, as his driving tour of Val d’Orcia occupied almost two days, meaning I did not have to plan! Also, his advice to purchase the Touring Club Italiano map of Tuscany, is excellent – do NOT leave the airport without it! Please, do yourself a favour, follow Stu’s route and enjoy. Check it out on this thread:
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=34652503

Another special mention for my good friend “flygirl” who managed to convince me, against my better judgment, to go ballooning: I hate flying, heights and fire, all requisite components of a successful balloon ride. At first I demurred, but she nagged me; so, I checked it out, thought it interesting, was overwhelmed by her photos and finally succumbed. It was spectacular, exciting and one of the best vacation experiences I have had. Ballooning will be a passion for me from now on. Check out flygirl’s ballooning trip in Tuscany last year and her extraordinary photos:
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=34866533

I hope to write I trip report, but I think I am now about 8 trip reports behind my trips, so don’t hold your breath. In the meantime, please accept my photos as an alternative.

I am SO glad I decided to stay in Pienza, South Tuscany (another recommendation from flygirl), as opposed to the Chianti area. Chianti is lovely but the Val d’Orcia is far superior, IMO.

Regards ... Ger

Day 1: Saturday
Volterra:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slidesho...2xtxn&Ux=0

Chianti:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slidesho...xb18l&Ux=0

Day 2: Sunday
Pienza to Montalcino
http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slidesho...8yqhx&Ux=0

Montalcino
http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slidesho...tv0qm&Ux=0

Montalcino to Abbey
http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slidesho...kcoi5&Ux=0

Abbey to Pienza
http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slidesho...dvzkg&Ux=0

Pienza
http://www.kodakgallery.com/PostSign...share&Ux=0


Day 3: Monday
Montisi:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slidesho...dv9b2&Ux=0

Montepulciano:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slidesho...u1z58&Ux=0


Day 4:
Ballooning in Tuscany and the Gardens in San Giovanni d’Asso

http://www.ballooningintuscany.com/

www.laragnaia.com/

http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slidesho...vdxvj&Ux=0

Monticchiello:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slidesho...9zdvq&Ux=0

I'm saving this for later when I have a bit more time! Now my DH wants to go ballooning !

Glad you enjoyed my suggestions. When are you returning???

Stu Dudley

Thank you!!

I have only looked at the Volterra pictures and have saved this so that I can look at all the pictures when I have more time. Now I am more determined than ever to go back next year.
Thank you for sharing!!
Judy

Great photos! It brought back lots of memories of our trip there in 2004, especially the balloon photos. Unfortunately, our balloon trip was cancelled due to fog that day, but we had a nice visit with the fellow who does the trips,and who recommended we visit the beautiful and serene gardens at San Giovanni. We were the only ones there. We felt like we had stepped into a different world. Loved seeing my favorite little hill town of Monticchiello. Again, the day we were there, there was only a couple of other tourists there. We were there in October, so the rolling green hillsides of Val d'Orcia were plowed over and brown, but still lovely.

Thanks all!

Hey Jody - you MUST go. Its wonderful :)

Stu, I'll definately be back in the future as there was so much I had to skip, given the short time.

Barb, aren't Robert & Liz just lovely people? The day was misty, so we had to cut the balloon trip short. Robert brought us to the gardens and introduce us to the artist (Sheridan Craige, an American)who created it.

Regards Ger

Ger, yes, they were lovely, we chatted over a glass of wine in their very interesting kitchen. I think the garden is probably a hidden treasure that a lot of people don't know about. We would never have found it if they had not mentioned it and given us directions. How cool to meet the artist! One of these days I intend to go back and do the balloon ride on a clear sunny morning, hopefully. Did you get to have the champagne breakfast?

YES Barb - the champagne breakfast was a perfect end to the morning! I only wish the weather had co-operated and we could have had a full ride. I fully intend to return in the future for another balloon ride.

For those that want to experience something diffierent in Tuscany, I highly recommend this adventure and you could not find better hosts than Robert and Liz.

Regards Ger

Beautiful photos. Thanks for posting and reminding me of our own fabulous trip there not so long ago.

Question - I also have some pictures in the Kodak Gallery site and I want people to be able to see them without entering a password (as you have done here). Can you tell me how to do that?

Thanks

Ger, so glad you enjoyed the ballooning! Your experience helped convience my Mom that she'd like it to (she is likewise afraid of heights) and she absolutely loved it. It was the highlight of a trip full of highlights, for her.

Aren't Robert and Liz just delightful?

Welcome back Ger and thank you for posting your lovely photos...brings back so many wonderful memories.

you and flygirl sure know how to live!!!

Stu always has great suggestions!

Wonderful-thank you!
I debated for weeks whether to stay in Pienza or Montepulciano when we go next March/April...finally decided on Monetpulciano but it appears I cant go wrong. LOVED viewing your photos....

You can't Ani...you'll love Montipulciano. They're both lovely towns.

bookmarking

bookmarking
grazie mille

Ger-
so glad you had a great trip! thanks for sharing. your photos are amazing!
dina

Thanks for sharing your itinerary & wonderful photos! All this is so helpful as I plan my own trip to Tuscany!

I loved your pictures! Brings back wonderful memories...and I ate at that bar/gelateria in the fourth picture in your Pienza album!

Tracy

bkmkg thank you!

bookmarking

OReilly,

WOW! A picture is truly worth 1000 words.....

Thank you for sharing your fabulous photos. You captured some amazing architecture and tuscan life. We'll be taking our first trip to Tuscany in October and it was great to see her countryside in Spring.

You've convinced us all that ballooning in Tuscany is a must. My DH and I took a balloon ride (on the spur of the moment) in Napa during our honeymoon a decade ago and it was the highlight of our trip. I can only imagine that doing the same in Tuscany would be simply spectacular.

BTW..Those photos of the shadow of the balloon amidst the clouds are simply breathtaking. AAAahhhh!

Also...I'm on my way out to buy (at least) a dozen more memory cards for my camera!

bkmarking

Thank you for your lovely photos. Volterra kind of reminds me of the Old Town of Rodos.

Did you buy any nice jewellery when you were in Italy?

Did you go to Milano and stand in line at Fendi with all the Russian mafia wives for the fur sale?

The Great and Powerful Thingorjus

Do you have a website link for the ballooning that you did?

Thanks for posting.. I will bookmark this as we are going there in janury.

I hope the winter is not too harsh to enjoy the driving tour - I need to research moe as you can tell!!!

Cindywho,

This is the balloon company the OP used..... http://www.ballooningintuscany.com/index.html

Husband and wife team. She's an artist and her work is amazing.

Ger, I'll bookmark this if you don't mind, I am planning a trip to Tuscany one of these months...

Ger, what a treat! Thank you. Loved your photos.

I missed your original post because I was.... in Tuscany :-) :-)

Many thanks to Stu as well.

-e