Ger’s 4-day Trip to Tuscany: The Photos
May 16th, 2007, 08:13 PM
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Ger’s 4-day Trip to Tuscany: The Photos
Hello all:
Many thanks to those who helped me plan my four day trip to Tuscany and those who did so unknowingly, by posting wonderful trip reports, rich with detail and experiences, which I read voraciously and thoroughly enjoyed. This site is a far better resource to experience the tastes, smells and atmosphere of the destination than any guide book every written.
I'd like to single out Stu Dudley for special mention, as his driving tour of Val d’Orcia occupied almost two days, meaning I did not have to plan! Also, his advice to purchase the Touring Club Italiano map of Tuscany, is excellent – do NOT leave the airport without it! Please, do yourself a favour, follow Stu’s route and enjoy. Check it out on this thread:
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=34652503
Another special mention for my good friend “flygirl” who managed to convince me, against my better judgment, to go ballooning: I hate flying, heights and fire, all requisite components of a successful balloon ride. At first I demurred, but she nagged me; so, I checked it out, thought it interesting, was overwhelmed by her photos and finally succumbed. It was spectacular, exciting and one of the best vacation experiences I have had. Ballooning will be a passion for me from now on. Check out flygirl’s ballooning trip in Tuscany last year and her extraordinary photos:
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=34866533
I hope to write I trip report, but I think I am now about 8 trip reports behind my trips, so don’t hold your breath. In the meantime, please accept my photos as an alternative.
I am SO glad I decided to stay in Pienza, South Tuscany (another recommendation from flygirl), as opposed to the Chianti area. Chianti is lovely but the Val d’Orcia is far superior, IMO.
Regards ... Ger
Day 1: Saturday
Volterra:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slidesho...2xtxn&Ux=0
Chianti:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slidesho...xb18l&Ux=0
Day 2: Sunday
Pienza to Montalcino
http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slidesho...8yqhx&Ux=0
Montalcino
http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slidesho...tv0qm&Ux=0
Montalcino to Abbey
http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slidesho...kcoi5&Ux=0
Abbey to Pienza
http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slidesho...dvzkg&Ux=0
Pienza
http://www.kodakgallery.com/PostSign...share&Ux=0
Day 3: Monday
Montisi:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slidesho...dv9b2&Ux=0
Montepulciano:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slidesho...u1z58&Ux=0
Day 4:
Ballooning in Tuscany and the Gardens in San Giovanni d’Asso
http://www.ballooningintuscany.com/
www.laragnaia.com/
http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slidesho...vdxvj&Ux=0
Monticchiello:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slidesho...9zdvq&Ux=0
Many thanks to those who helped me plan my four day trip to Tuscany and those who did so unknowingly, by posting wonderful trip reports, rich with detail and experiences, which I read voraciously and thoroughly enjoyed. This site is a far better resource to experience the tastes, smells and atmosphere of the destination than any guide book every written.
I'd like to single out Stu Dudley for special mention, as his driving tour of Val d’Orcia occupied almost two days, meaning I did not have to plan! Also, his advice to purchase the Touring Club Italiano map of Tuscany, is excellent – do NOT leave the airport without it! Please, do yourself a favour, follow Stu’s route and enjoy. Check it out on this thread:
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=34652503
Another special mention for my good friend “flygirl” who managed to convince me, against my better judgment, to go ballooning: I hate flying, heights and fire, all requisite components of a successful balloon ride. At first I demurred, but she nagged me; so, I checked it out, thought it interesting, was overwhelmed by her photos and finally succumbed. It was spectacular, exciting and one of the best vacation experiences I have had. Ballooning will be a passion for me from now on. Check out flygirl’s ballooning trip in Tuscany last year and her extraordinary photos:
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=34866533
I hope to write I trip report, but I think I am now about 8 trip reports behind my trips, so don’t hold your breath. In the meantime, please accept my photos as an alternative.
I am SO glad I decided to stay in Pienza, South Tuscany (another recommendation from flygirl), as opposed to the Chianti area. Chianti is lovely but the Val d’Orcia is far superior, IMO.
Regards ... Ger
Day 1: Saturday
Volterra:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slidesho...2xtxn&Ux=0
Chianti:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slidesho...xb18l&Ux=0
Day 2: Sunday
Pienza to Montalcino
http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slidesho...8yqhx&Ux=0
Montalcino
http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slidesho...tv0qm&Ux=0
Montalcino to Abbey
http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slidesho...kcoi5&Ux=0
Abbey to Pienza
http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slidesho...dvzkg&Ux=0
Pienza
http://www.kodakgallery.com/PostSign...share&Ux=0
Day 3: Monday
Montisi:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slidesho...dv9b2&Ux=0
Montepulciano:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slidesho...u1z58&Ux=0
Day 4:
Ballooning in Tuscany and the Gardens in San Giovanni d’Asso
http://www.ballooningintuscany.com/
www.laragnaia.com/
http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slidesho...vdxvj&Ux=0
Monticchiello:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slidesho...9zdvq&Ux=0
May 17th, 2007, 07:34 AM
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I have only looked at the Volterra pictures and have saved this so that I can look at all the pictures when I have more time. Now I am more determined than ever to go back next year.
Thank you for sharing!!
Judy
Thank you for sharing!!
Judy
May 17th, 2007, 09:45 AM
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Great photos! It brought back lots of memories of our trip there in 2004, especially the balloon photos. Unfortunately, our balloon trip was cancelled due to fog that day, but we had a nice visit with the fellow who does the trips,and who recommended we visit the beautiful and serene gardens at San Giovanni. We were the only ones there. We felt like we had stepped into a different world. Loved seeing my favorite little hill town of Monticchiello. Again, the day we were there, there was only a couple of other tourists there. We were there in October, so the rolling green hillsides of Val d'Orcia were plowed over and brown, but still lovely.
May 17th, 2007, 04:52 PM
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Thanks all!
Hey Jody - you MUST go. Its wonderful
Stu, I'll definately be back in the future as there was so much I had to skip, given the short time.
Barb, aren't Robert & Liz just lovely people? The day was misty, so we had to cut the balloon trip short. Robert brought us to the gardens and introduce us to the artist (Sheridan Craige, an American)who created it.
Regards Ger
Hey Jody - you MUST go. Its wonderful
Stu, I'll definately be back in the future as there was so much I had to skip, given the short time.
Barb, aren't Robert & Liz just lovely people? The day was misty, so we had to cut the balloon trip short. Robert brought us to the gardens and introduce us to the artist (Sheridan Craige, an American)who created it.
Regards Ger
May 18th, 2007, 08:39 AM
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Ger, yes, they were lovely, we chatted over a glass of wine in their very interesting kitchen. I think the garden is probably a hidden treasure that a lot of people don't know about. We would never have found it if they had not mentioned it and given us directions. How cool to meet the artist! One of these days I intend to go back and do the balloon ride on a clear sunny morning, hopefully. Did you get to have the champagne breakfast?
May 18th, 2007, 07:12 PM
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YES Barb - the champagne breakfast was a perfect end to the morning! I only wish the weather had co-operated and we could have had a full ride. I fully intend to return in the future for another balloon ride.
For those that want to experience something diffierent in Tuscany, I highly recommend this adventure and you could not find better hosts than Robert and Liz.
Regards Ger
For those that want to experience something diffierent in Tuscany, I highly recommend this adventure and you could not find better hosts than Robert and Liz.
Regards Ger
May 18th, 2007, 10:50 PM
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Beautiful photos. Thanks for posting and reminding me of our own fabulous trip there not so long ago.
Question - I also have some pictures in the Kodak Gallery site and I want people to be able to see them without entering a password (as you have done here). Can you tell me how to do that?
Thanks
Question - I also have some pictures in the Kodak Gallery site and I want people to be able to see them without entering a password (as you have done here). Can you tell me how to do that?
Thanks
Jun 17th, 2007, 06:32 AM
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Ger, so glad you enjoyed the ballooning! Your experience helped convience my Mom that she'd like it to (she is likewise afraid of heights) and she absolutely loved it. It was the highlight of a trip full of highlights, for her.
Aren't Robert and Liz just delightful?
Aren't Robert and Liz just delightful?
Jun 17th, 2007, 05:31 PM
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Wonderful-thank you!
I debated for weeks whether to stay in Pienza or Montepulciano when we go next March/April...finally decided on Monetpulciano but it appears I cant go wrong. LOVED viewing your photos....
I debated for weeks whether to stay in Pienza or Montepulciano when we go next March/April...finally decided on Monetpulciano but it appears I cant go wrong. LOVED viewing your photos....
