Tuscany and The Italian Alps

3rd – 15th February 2008 Still Italy (Tuscany to the Alps)

If you’re interested in more pics, go to http://picasaweb.google.com/findthebinghams/37MoreItaly

As a change from cities and busy people, we spent 4 days on the edge of Lake Bolsena, north of Rome, in a lovely medieval village (Marta) – very peaceful with lovely views. In rain, hail and glorious sun, we watched fishing boats, ducks and lapping water, did some sewing and made occasional forays into other towns around the lake, with great castles and hilly little streets. The tiny, but well-used chapel of miracles was hidden underneath the belltower.









Tuscany is an absolute delight; rolling countryside with undulating fields and neat lines of cypress. Just like all the postcards. The medieval hilltop towns are fascinating – Montepulciano is set on a long ridge, 600m high with splendid views.

We’ve also been cycling again, along tracks around the beautifully manicured Tuscan fields and very tidy haystacks, to find the Roman Baths at Bagno Vignoni – nearly the same size as the village itself!

Siena tries to deter visitors by charging €20 to park (we didn’t pay). The 12th Century walled city is a UNESCO Site and has the expected narrow cobbles streets – not as attractive as some we’ve seen, but its Cathedral is just magnificent. Its facade is a pleasure, beautiful colours and so elegant. Inside, the 56 unique sgraffito marble floor panels are fantastic. As for its Libreria Piccolomini, well, I could have spent hours there, marvelling at both the room and its contents – brightly coloured frescos decorate walls and ceiling, and it houses superb 15th Century illuminated music

manuscripts which are so exquisitely painted. The cross swans were great.

The Marina di Pisa was a great place to stop, right on the sea front, from where we saw dolphins - and an interesting fishing mechanism in use (see pic). Hot sunshine brought out all the Italian campervans for the weekend, and everyone did their ‘passegiata’ along the walkways – fun to observe!

The first thing we did when we saw Pisa’s Leaning Tower was laugh - it looks so ludicrous! Actually it’s a lovely building, set in a large piazza of other lovely structures, like the Duomo and Baptistery (also leaning). It’s about 4.5m out of vertical and feels rather weird walking up inside – you don’t know which way to lean!

Proper campsites are few and far between, although many towns and villages organise Aree di Sosta for campervans to stay overnight. No facilities really, but often free. Some are in spectacular surroundings!

We decided to save Florence for another trip – too much energy required! So we’re now in the Italian Alps, at Champoluc, where we first came skiing in the van 7 years ago. It hasn’t changed. The weather is glorious and the snow is great, so we’re here for 10 days or so, enjoying the slopes and the scenery.

Next stop, New Zealand! So next blog will be from there, in a couple of weeks.