Italia! Italia! Italia! Italia! Italia! Italia! Ita........

After a quick word on Gatwick Airport security "utterly ridiculous, they scanned our thongs for gods sake" we managed to arrive in Pisa and make it to Tash's Aunts place in Tuscany for a few days of R&R. Its a beautiful house with a great view over the tuscan valley. We lazed, ate very well and the weather was great.















She has a dog called Tasha, I kid you not. Tash thought this was unfortunate.... Greg on the other hand.... (thanks Aunty Mairi)

We made our way to Florence to see one of Europe's most beautiful cities. This was introduction to Italy, not a bad way to start. We found a local bar overlooking the river Arno and enjoyed a free (and massive) buffet of apertizers (the latest trend).

We went on to see the towers of San Gimignano (beautiful 2000 yr old town), the famous piazza of Sienna being prepared for the 'Palio' horse race, camped in Assisi under the watchful eye of St Francis (saw the Saint's Tomb and Basillica), and wandered the cobbled streets of Roma for hours on end. We could rabbit on for hours, but that would be very boring, so here are some photos.

I think the real message from Italy, with the food (Pizza, Pasta, Proscuitto, Pecorino chesse, Wild Boar Sauce, Lamb scallopini, Gelato), the cathedrals (Sistene, Florentine Duomo, St Peters Basilica), the art (the Ufizzi, Vatican Museum) , the vatican itself and the Roman ruins, is that Italians have a lust for life which is enviable and infectious. We walked for hours just drinking in the whole atmosphere. It was sad to say goodbye to a place that I have fallen in love with. We'll be back.....