Our last full Day in Italy and in some ways it seems like we just got here and in others we're very ready to go home. But we've still got Milan to go through. We walk a few blocks to the bus stop, then transfer to the subway. The subway stops at the train station so we have to stop and take pictures (See last entry) We have to go through the Milan Cathedral The Gothic cathedral took five centuries to complete and is the fourth-largest church in the worl...

In the home strech now... This am I wake up early because its our last morning in Florence and I want to go through the Duomo and Santa Maria Novella. Our city tours started right across the street from it, as was the train station but we never had a chance to go through it. I walk for a couple of hours while the kids pack because we have a train to catch at 1pm. This will be the third train we've taken and I have to say, I like them. None of the hassel of...

Today's driver, Mateo II, was interest, and not in a good way; close talker, looks at me more than the road and a political science major. Kinda reminds me of Chandler from Friends, but not as cute. Anyways, he takes us to Sienna and shows us the Piazza del Campo where the  Palio di Siena , a horse race, takes place. Check it out on youtube. Amazing!After a quick stop at a pastry shop for yummy almond things, we walk to Siena's cathedral. Chandler ca...

Today's 'tour' isn't really a tour. Essentially, its just us and a driver who's taking us to Lucca and Pisa. Mateo I, because tomorrow is Mateo II, is very nice and knowledgeable. (No, I really don't say that about every guide we had; wait til tomorrow.) While driving we talk and I mention my daily, one way 40 mile commute. He swears in Italian. Later on, I'll mention I grew up in RI which has a high population of Italian immigrants s...

This was an early friggin morning! Pick up outside the hotel at 4:45am. 4 : 45 in the morning!!!!! Aaargh!! The things I do for the kids. Of course, when asked months ago,"Want to go on a balloon ride? It means getting up early?" they both said sure. This morning they weren't so sure. We took off just outside of the walled city monteriggioni, between Firenza and Sienna. Yes, it was early and a bit chilly and the pilot didn't speak English but it was ver...