Simon in TOSCANA (Tuscany)

In 1998 I decided that family Christmases were too DULL, too PAINFUL and generally speaking a BLOODY BAD THING !!

When Page "&" Moy's "Christmas Holidays" brochure dropped on my mat, I saw the chance to escape the confines of Cornish Christmases and do my own thing.  Having enjoyed that experience (see DOLOMITI) I decided to repeat.

For Christmas 2000 I decided to join Page & Moy again, and take my first look at Toscana. 

"Chiantishire" is the English nickname for the region that Italians call TOSCANA and which we know as TUSCANY.  Our tour left London Heathrow midday on December 23rd 2000 and flew to Rome before a 2hour coach transfer to the Hill town of MONTEPULCIANO, though in fact we stayed below its slopes at ALBERGO SAN BIAGIO.

Christmas Eve was spent on local excursions to MONTEPULCIANO, to the Hilltop town of PIENZA the birth place of Pope Pius II, and A Thermal spa (shown below).  Weather was grey and damp.

The best excursions were to ASSISI, to SIENA, and to fabulous FIRENZE.  All these are covered by separate pages which can be loaded by clicking on the links behind their names.

In 2003 I decided to return to Toscana for another Tuscan treat, this time spending Christmas at the Hill town of GAVINANA.  We again visited Siena and Firenze as well as Vinci and Pistoia.  There is a plan to visit Tuscany in September 2004, when we might be able to see Tuscany in warm weather.

click pictures below for full size views

Hot Spring, Hill Town

Tuscany Vineyard view with Florence Duomo

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