Tuscano...

San Gimignano

After a beautiful bus ride through the rolling countryside and vineyards of Tuscany, we made our first stop at San Gimignano in Siena Tuscany.  The town is part of the World Heritage sites with it's rich history, art and culture dating back to the 10th century.  The stone gated community has narrow cobblestone walkways with tall stone buildings.  San Gimignano fought against its sister town, Volterra, back in the Middle Ages and overcame it with wealth and prosperity and broke away with its own churches.

This town was full of little wine, cheese and specialty shops.  Definitely my type of  place! 

We ate a traditional Tuscan lunch at a farmhouse overlooking San Gimignano and Tuscany's rolling countryside.  It was all you can eat italian food and wine... what more could you ask for?  The whole tour group got to sit at communal picnic tables on the patio.  I could not get over how beautiful the scenery was.  It literally looked like a painting.

San Gimignano on top of the hill in the background.

Amy and I drinking wine with our first course... penne pasta 

Lo and Caitlin enjoying dessert... homemade flakey cookies and chocolate moose. 

Table white and red wine made from the farmhouse's own vineyard along with meats and cheeses.  Oh, we also we able to try their own olive oil... delicious!

Beautiful ladies! 

A couple relaxing and enjoying the scenery under a tree. 

The patio we ate lunch on at the farmhouse.  Can I eat here everyday?

Our last stop in Tuscany was Volterra.  For you Twilight lovers, YES, it's the city from the book.  Even though the book and movie are based in Volterra, home of the Volturri, the movie was actually filmed in San Gimignano at their clock tower.  Even today there is hostility between the two towns stemming back from the Middle Ages.  Volterra is also known for it's arts, culture and history.

The clock tower from the scene in the book.  The movie was actually filmed in San Gimignano at their clock tower, but they practically looked about the same.

Volterra's main square

The square in front of the clock tower in Volterra. 

The town was full of high Medieval arches.

Volterra's flag

a cute bread, cheese, and wine store. 

an ancient theater right outside Volterra's walls that was found not too long ago.

Lo and I were obviously way more excited to visit here than Amy and Pooter

Bella Roma...

People say that if you throw a quarter in the Trevi Fountain while making a wish, you're sure to come back to visit Rome someday.  I completely believe in that!  I threw a quarter in the fountain a little over 5 years ago and I was lucky enough to come back to Rome!  It was just as amazing as I remembered too.

Piazza del Popolo

A good friend from Loyola actually lives in Rome now with her boyfriend, so I was able to meet up with her for a few hours.  Try meeting up with someone in a busy, foreign country, without a cell phone... Hard, but surprisingly it all worked out!

Piazza Venezia... a Roman military monument

We were able to hit all the tourist sites on top of meeting up with Christine for lunch.  We had to choose between the sites or the Vatican, so we weren't able to visit the Vatican this time.  Guess I'll have to just come back a 3rd time!

Roman Forum

Locals playing the sax in front of the Roman Forum

I LOVE this picture of the girls by the Arco di Constantino next to the colosseum.   

I like the guys expression behind me looking at us like we're crazy.  I didn't really mind though.

Sitting at a street side cafe for a little snack.  We had gelato, bruschetta, and coffee

Across the street from the Roman Forum

Artist sitting by her artwork in an alleyway 

Caitlin hugging the painter because she loved her work so much!

YES, we will be back!!

Throwing coins into the fountain 

Definitely my favorite part of Rome!

Spanish steps.  Thank god Christine told us to meet her at the McDonalds at the bottom of the steps, otherwise I would have never found her!  Way too many people around here!

Pantheon, after we met up with Christine 

Christine and I

Inside the Pantheon

We were able to meet up with Christine's boyfriend, Angelo, for a quick espresso before heading back to the bus.  Apparently Romans don't order cappuccino after breakfast... but he ordered one anyways for Caitlin to be a good host even though the barista looked at him weird.

 Christine took us to a delicious local Italian spot for lunch recommended by Angelo.

I'm so glad Christine and I were able to meet up!  I haven't seen her in about 4 years!!  Can't wait to see her again!  Thanks for showing us around Rome :)