Ciao Mickey, This is NOT Disney. The real Europe visited...8/16 - Day 9.11 & 9.12

[scottny]

Day 6.7

We had finished our time at the farmhouse and now were on the bus waiting for everyone to get on. Here is Lorraine in one of her usual poses. LOL.

This was our driver. I think his name was Mario.

We were on our way and it wasn’t too far.

The scenery was lovely to look at.

Soon enough we were there. Here was our bus.

Then we were walking into town.

Here is the view after we walked up the staircase.

Then I asked Donna to take my photo. I look superimposed there. LOL.

Now we were almost into the town.

The buses don’t come up here so you do have to walk there from the loading zone. Not to far.

Now we were behind the walls and in the town.

Lots of steps and hills to walk up and down.

Some scenery.

This point I left everyone as I had to use the facilities again. I could take a sip and have to go 5 times. LOL. The sign said this way and then I had to climb this hill and it was steep.

Then I looked for the water closet. I saw this area.

Looking back down the hill I had walked up.

I FOUND IT! Unfortunately it was unisex so there was a line. I got in line and waited. It cost 1 euro which I did not have (I had 2) but thankfully it gave change or there was a machine there. This is the hill the WC was on.

Street light.

Vinny called or text me to see where I was and I told him and shortly he was there. Maybe he gave the change for the WC. He then went to the bottom of the hill to wait for me.

Then I finally got in and went. It wasn’t bad waiting being I spoke to some of the people there but the wait, oy! I think all bathrooms should be separated because mens rooms you don’t wait like that. I remember one old lady walked and did not have the change so she just went under the exit turnstile. LOL. When you gotta go.
I think I will stop here.

Up next,

A little bit more of San Gimignano

 

[PrincessInOz]

The shopping is supposed to be really good at S.Gim. I hope we get to see that next.

 

[jenseib]

Great pictures of where they make the win and the vineyards, Scott. If they were milking cows, my guess is they keep them chained up if they just came in until it is time to milk them. Most zoos you will see them chained in their stall if they are not outside roaming.

What a spectacular view from your table at lunch. My mouth just dropped open as it was stunning.

Lunch looks good too.

I am not a cow expert....but my husband is. LOL. I have never heard of chaining them for milking but I guess for a few wild rebels that might be needed. usually cows want to be milked and all you have to do is tell them and they come running...of course there are a few in every crowd.

What fabulous scenery Scott. Those views are amazing. The pomegranite tree is so neat as are the grape shots.
I think I would have issues with a unisex bathroom.

 

[KatMark]

Scott,. the scenery is just stunning. Absolutely beautiful.

I love the picture of you after you had climbed the stairs.

I cannot believe they charge you to use the restrooms. Andy told me about that when they were in Ireland. I couldn't get over it and now I hear it happened to you as well.

 

[franandaj]

Any help would be appreciated and also we have 2 nights at DLR where should we eat? LOL

Well both of those are a whole can of worms! The question is when you are on Napa, first are you driving yourselves? And second what kind of wines and experiences are you looking for? Some wineries specialize in grandiose properties, others have good wines. I know you don't care for reds so much and many of the winerieries love their reds. But they do have a specialty of some whites at each vineyard.

As far as DLR geez, so many great places! Do you want sit down or QS? There are so many great sit down places but there are great CS as well. Let me know and I'll give you my top recommendations!

 

[scottny]

The shopping is supposed to be really good at S.Gim. I hope we get to see that next.

Not really. Most of the time we had there was spent in line for the potty.

I am not a cow expert....but my husband is. LOL. I have never heard of chaining them for milking but I guess for a few wild rebels that might be needed. usually cows want to be milked and all you have to do is tell them and they come running...of course there are a few in every crowd.

What fabulous scenery Scott. Those views are amazing. The pomegranite tree is so neat as are the grape shots.
I think I would have issues with a unisex bathroom.

I knew he was. it is a different country so maybe different ways. I found it odd.
it was a great place to have lunch outside.
The bathroom was okay. It had stalls so it was closed. LOL.

Scott,. the scenery is just stunning. Absolutely beautiful.

I love the picture of you after you had climbed the stairs.

I cannot believe they charge you to use the restrooms. Andy told me about that when they were in Ireland. I couldn't get over it and now I hear it happened to you as well.

it was definitely worth the trip.
Thanks. I loved the scenery there but more of that later.
Yes they do. I think it is actually a good idea because it keeps the homeless out unless the jump it or go under. NYC should do it.

Well both of those are a whole can of worms! The question is when you are on Napa, first are you driving yourselves? And second what kind of wines and experiences are you looking for? Some wineries specialize in grandiose properties, others have good wines. I know you don't care for reds so much and many of the winerieries love their reds. But they do have a specialty of some whites at each vineyard.

As far as DLR geez, so many great places! Do you want sit down or QS? There are so many great sit down places but there are great CS as well. Let me know and I'll give you my top recommendations!

Yes we are driving. it might be just a quick visit. Not sure yet. Still working out the plans. Probably see red wines being Vinny loves them. I would only have a glass, maybe.

DLR I think both. We will have 2 nights there so will need for breakfast, lunch and dinner for 2 nights.

Thanks.

 

[scottny]

Day 6.8

After wasting time waiting in line we had time to really look around and get some of the gelato they sell here. Here is the the square.

I loved the buildings here, they looked so old.

Looking back from where we walked from.

This was our destination. There is another place here that claims to be the “best in the world” but our guide said to go here and try the Rosemary Gelato. I figured I would. Rosemary Baby is the name of it but I don’t have a pic that I took.

I found these online so I borrowed them from Google. Here is what the gelato looks like.

Again they were both borrowed from Google. If you ever go here I highly recommend trying it. Delicious!

After we paid we went and found a place to sit. This was across from us.

Then it was time to walk back to the bus. We really only had an hour or less here. Need more time but gives an excuse to go back.

Looks like there was still a line for the bathroom.

Pinocchio is very popular in Italy and you see them selling him everywhere.

These were cute. They were hanging in the windows.

I would stay in the hotel overnight once just so I can get a feel of the city.

Arch as we were heading out.

Now we were back in the area by the stairs to get to the bus.

Across from the lovely view was a little park with staues. I of course had to go look at them.

I took photos all around it. LOL.

Con't in next post...

 

[scottny]

Con’t from previous post…

Moved on to another.

Then I went back to everyone. Hello Barbara and Vinny.

What a view. Lovely tree. LOL.

That is a little better.

Zoomed out.

Then it was off to the bus.

Final sign pic. Then it was time to get on the bus and head off to our next destination.

Up next,

Bus ride to a leaning tower.

 

[PrincessInOz]

An hour at San G??
I agree with you. You need to go back and stay at least one night there to get the feel of a place.
Having said that, you captured some beautiful shots of the city piazzo area.

Glad you managed to grab some gelato. It looks super delicious.
And I love the Pinocchio puppet. How lovely! Did you get one to bring home?

 

[emmysmommy]

Hi Scott. Trying to get caught up... I'm starting with the most recent so it at least looks like I paid attention.

Paying to go potty? Good thing you had your euro otherwise ....

What beautiful views of the valley. It is postcard perfect.

Rosemary Baby gelato... the raspberry part looks awesome. I just can't imagine adding some rosemary to that taste equation. I'm going to trust you on this one.

 

[dizneeat]

Paying to use the toilet? - Welcome to Europe!
A unisex toilet? - Welcome to OLD Europe!


Nice old Italian town. I just wish you had had more time to explore. Even though the tourist areas are nice, the real Italy (or any other country) can only be found in the non touristy areas. But you seemed to make the most of it and even got to sample some ice-cream.

 

[Lesprivate]

Beautiful view for lunch.

 

[KatMark]

Too bad you didn't have more time to explore. An hour doesn't seem long enough.

Love your pictures, as always. The zoomed one was fabulous.

Gelato looks quite yummy.

 

[scottny]

An hour at San G??
I agree with you. You need to go back and stay at least one night there to get the feel of a place.
Having said that, you captured some beautiful shots of the city piazzo area.

Glad you managed to grab some gelato. It looks super delicious.
And I love the Pinocchio puppet. How lovely! Did you get one to bring home?

I think I really do. Thanks.
it was interesting at first then I liked it. LOL.
No. I did get a keychain of him.

Hi Scott. Trying to get caught up... I'm starting with the most recent so it at least looks like I paid attention.

Paying to go potty? Good thing you had your euro otherwise ....

What beautiful views of the valley. It is postcard perfect.

Rosemary Baby gelato... the raspberry part looks awesome. I just can't imagine adding some rosemary to that taste equation. I'm going to trust you on this one.

I would have littered on the wall. LOL.
it was so gorgeous.
I was hesitant but hey when in, wait I wasn't in Rome yet. LOL. Anyway I figured why not.

Paying to use the toilet? - Welcome to Europe!
A unisex toilet? - Welcome to OLD Europe!


Nice old Italian town. I just wish you had had more time to explore. Even though the tourist areas are nice, the real Italy (or any other country) can only be found in the non touristy areas. But you seemed to make the most of it and even got to sample some ice-cream.

Yep. Found that out 6 years ago in London and Paris. Not all places charge though but most do.
The ladies were complaining in line but if you gotta go you gotta go.
I wish we had more time to and hopefully one day we will make it back to explore more.

Beautiful view for lunch.

It really was.

Too bad you didn't have more time to explore. An hour doesn't seem long enough.

Love your pictures, as always. The zoomed one was fabulous.

Gelato looks quite yummy.

it really wasn't but did the best we could. If nature hadn't called it would have been better.
Thanks.

 

[pas130]

I'm back, trying to catch up on months MIA from the DIS. Loving the pics!! Even more than FB AWESOME!!! Sorry I've been gone so long Scott!

 

[scottny]

I'm back, trying to catch up on months MIA from the DIS. Loving the pics!! Even more than FB AWESOME!!! Sorry I've been gone so long Scott!

Welcome back and I know the feeling.

 

[scottny]

Day 6.9

Now we were all on the bus and we waited to load and soon enough we were on. The view from the window.

Not a bad view to have out the window.

The bicyclist here was heading to a lovely hotel or bed & breakfast that we passed.I wish I wrote down the name.

Lovely greenery along the way.

We passed this little charmer.

I wish the window wasn’t so apparent in the pic.

The road ahead.

We then came across this which I have no idea what it was. I believe it was at a turnabout.

Then we came upon this tree area. I loved it. I love trees and love seeing them.

Then we came to this roundabout.

We are getting closer.

Then we were going down this road into Pisa.

We passed this building.

Crossing a bridge. Pretty view.

A road with no one. Nice.

Can’t say the same for this one. LOL.

Then the bus was parked and we went out. We followed the guide in. She explained where to go if you had tickets to climb (which I had no idea you could pre-purchase) or you could purchase if still available. I was interested in seeing if anything was available. We followed her.

Then we entered. Okay time to stop here.

Up next,

The tower grounds and do I get to go inside it?

 

[scottny]

I will be catching up this week on tr's. Sorry folks. Been a busy two weeks.

Also look for an update for the upcoming trip soon as I can book next week for our WDW hotel.

 

[pas130]

Gorgeous drive, the pic with the stairs and other statues..hard to tell if it was art of just extra stuff dumped off. Didn't look bad though

 

[KatMark]

Beautiful scenery on your bus ride, Scott. I love the greenery in the bushes and the trees are stunning.