John & Laurel’s website

Our time at the villa ends tomorrow.  Tonight we have a farewell dinner planned.  We have all (9 of us) contributed to having a local cook come to prepare a three course Montisi Italian-style dinner.

Our stay here has been relaxing AND full of side trips to neighboring hill towns.  Yesterday, we traveled with “Roberto” (from Rick Steve’s videos and www.ToursByRoberto.com).  What a gem of a tour! We went to an Etruscan burial site over 2600 years old. They pre-dated the Romans here – and well, everywhere.

Two days before, we had a “walking tour” of Siena — one of Italy’s oldest cities. Rich in history and “firsts” you could easily come to the conclusion that Siena was the cradle of modern civilization.  The first bank, hospital, taxes by square footage, etc. Very beautiful!  You will see when we upload our pictures upon our return.

The weather is week has been chilly.  We are now very glad to have brought the sweaters and layers of warm clothes we did not need in Rome or Florence or Manarola.

That’s it for now.  Laurel will have more descriptive details later as that is her love.  You’ll notice by the postcards, I write big and say little.  She writes small and really packs a lot in the little half of the postcard.

Ciao for now !!