Italy

This post is a continuation of Tom and Brenda's journey. Unfortunately, their i-pod camera did not make suitable distance shots so I cannot accurately represent the beautiful scenery of Tuscany.

They rented a little house in Matraia with a view of distant olive groves and gave a magnet to their landlady. Tom found a wood-fired bakery next door and visited with the owner who spoke no English. I might add that Tom has a wood fired pizza oven of his own and his son is a baker.



Can one speak of Italy without art in the conversation?

Feeding Christians to the lions in a church in Barga.

Driving through Tuscany there were rolling brown and golden hills and then a city way up there, Voltara. The road winds and winds up to it and from it one can see a 360 degree view.

The rooftops of Voltara.

At one time Florence and Sienna were equal in power and wealth. Then Florence won out. Below is the central plaza, enormous public space, with Tom standing in the shadows.

Pictured below is one of the little villages of Cinquaterra. There are five little villages tucked into some pretty rocky terrain overlooking the sea, now sort of a national park. The sea washes against the rocks in a violent way and the bravest of the teenagers actually swim in all that white water.

A Cathedral n Lucca.

Lucca. The old Roman wall still surrounds it.

A beautifully frescoed building in the town of Trento.