Author: aletaw3

Another lazy day at the Villa. More swimming, catching up on reading and just taking it easy. For dinner we decided to try our Host’s recommendation for a steak-house. Bisteccatoscana was located in downtown Pistoia but we found the place and parking with only one wrong turn – one would think we almost know our way around. There are no choices at the restaurant except for your beverage. They serve only steak, grilled outside. We could watch the grilling on a monitor above our table. Side dishes were boiled chick peas, potatoes and a fried/cheesey/baked eggplant. Dessert of coffee gelato, biscotti and dessert liquors finished the meal. Not a bad way to celebrate Bill’s birthday.

As if we didn’t have enough of the crazy drivers yesterday, we decided to cross the mountains to Vinci, birthplace of Leonardo, and home to a museum of his accomplishments. Next we traveled to Larciano Castle, built as fortification for the town, between the 11th and 13th century. More beautiful scenery but we had more close encounters and narrowly avoided being forced off the road into a ditch.

Recovering from all the driving and catching up on the blog. Enjoyed the pool and did laundry. Drove to San Baronto in the hills for pizza dinner. Narrow twisty roads are a challenge. Between bicyclists, suicidal motorcyclists and cars driving fast and wide around turns, it is amazing we were not side-swiped.

Took the train from Pistoia to Florence. The city was crazy crowded with tourists. We utilized a hop-on-hop-off bus to see sights. Beautiful architecture and sculpture everywhere you look.

Spending a week in Tuscany, near Pistoia and Florence, in an 18th century villa with gardens, chapel, pool, frescos, and tile floors. Quiet and relaxing.

Leaving Locarno, we crossed the Italian side of the alps and descended toward Milan. Heading east toward Bologna we found a flat, hot environment. Spent the night in Bazzano, at the Alla Roca Hotel, which Bill said reminded him of a place you might find in Jerome, AZ. The next morning we drove over the mountains into Tuscany, on the smaller back roads. Slow going and some tight traffic but very scenic.

Although the day started rainy, we were hopeful the weather would clear (encouraged by weather radar projections). Paul, our airbnb host, helped us plot a route through the alps, over two high passes that we thought would be more scenic than taking the 20 km tunnel. Wow, this was incredibly beautiful, and at times incredibly scary: no guard rails, 1-½ lanes for 2 cars, sheer drop offs, hairpin turns that jut out into open air, intense views, temperature dropped to 3 deg. C at the pass…..

We were charged 50 euro to enter Switzerland! Prices are high and traffic is horrendous. Our airbnb hosts however, Edda, Paul, Linus & Hope, were wonderful. Beautiful home and wonderful advice for meals and continuing our journey.

Dad entered WWII in December 1944, through Marsailles, France. In January 1945 his unit participated in some of the fiercest house-to-house fighting of the war in Jebsheim, France. Such an unassuming place today, with approximately 1200 residents, and hardly anyone out and about on a gray Sunday morning. To know 900 soldiers (500 German and 400 Allied) lost their lives here is sobering.