Scheisse! It's over!

Our grand adventure has come to a close, we are in the air and on our way home. Scheisse! Yes, I have learned a german swear word as well as an italian one! Vienna lived up to it's reputation of being a cultural hot spot, full of life and energy, and of course tourists. We stayed just outside the "inner ring" so everything was within walking distance. Walk we did and the weather was perfect to do just that. 

The naschemart. Forgive me for my gross misspelling of this wonderful outdoor food venue. 

Our happy coffee kid, Meinl. I wonder what he is thinking....

The visit to the fine arts museum was spectacular. I have never seen so many Egyptian artifacts in one place. 

This wonderful bird is from the 1500's and is made entirely of ivory. 

We moved onto the Czech Republic to Cesky Krumlov. What a glorious little fairy tale town this is, situated in the hills of southern Chech Republic. 

This is the sign at the border. Twenty years ago there was a double electrified and barbed wire fence surrounding the country. Up until this time there were armed guards that restricted all travel in and out of the country. Now, no guards, no fences except for a 50 foot section planted with flowers and maintained by a family to remind everyone of how it once was. People move freely between countries now. 

The Chech country side. These trees were planted to shade the soldiers as they marched.

Out our window at the Castleview Apartments. It certainly lived up to its name. 

 

More from Cesky Krumlov...

Brother Dan and Miss Jeni came for the weekend.

Hi there! Sugary and cinnamony pastry. 

We say goodbye to Cesky Krumlov and spend the day on the the Czech, Austrian, and German rail system. It was quite a challenge negotiating especially the Czech trains because of our utter lack of that complicated language but negotiate it we most certainly did and also the Austrian and German lines. The scenery was marvelous!  We were picked up by our cheerful and hospitable, Richard. What a wonderful friend that he and his dear wife would host us outside Munich in Brunnthal. They have a beautiful home and an amazing garden that Ingrid tenderly cares for.

Hi Ingrid and Richard! 

We had an amazing meal, relaxing at their home with loads of  one of my favorite wines, the Italian, Primitivo.  We finished our evening with champagne to celebrate all our good fortune (in italiano, buon fortuna...got to keep practicing!) The next morning we headed out for a lovely hike through the countryside. 

We returned home for a brief respite then out to dinner at an amazing Bavarian restaurant. Truffles, venison, pumpkin soup and an bottle of Barolo. We thoroughly enjoyed our time with our friends and are so grateful that we will see them again at Christmas when both our families will be together to celebrate.

So babies, that is about a wrap for this grand adventure. Wonderful and as always romantic Italy, vibrant and exciting Vienna, quaint and Slavic Cesky Krumlov, and finally Germany in the fall with friends. Spectacular! 

Gary and I wish everyone happiness and as always wonderful travels.

Ciao babies!!

PS check back in a few days and I will post some of my favorite pictures and even some from my wonderful brother, Danny. 

Grazie. No It's Danke!

Grazie senore, no wait it's danke. I'm confused. So, when we entered our first restaurant in this beautiful, bustling city called Vienna we expected Germanesque fare and we were greeted with "bouna sera senore i señora". It was awesome! I have to admit...all those hours of late night italian lessons on my iPad really have paid off. I understood much of what was said to me in Italy, was able to string together simple sentences, and was able to ask for a table for two by the window and two cappuccinos per favore. I even learned my first curse word in Italian. It is so bad I can't even repeat it here! I learned it one evening as Gary and I were enjoying an evening glass of wine , al fresco, and watched as a drama unfolded before us for our viewing pleasure. A young woman, on the phone, obviously angry with her young man. It was awesome to witness. Passion in its extreme. The Italians are passionate about everything. Their food, their families, their jobs...all of it. Bellisima! I digress...back to Vienna. It's danke, here. What an impressive town. Let me show you.

The Stephansdom.

Hofburg Palace.

Hot mulled wine, my new best friend.

Shopping Mecca. Amazing!

Love the fashion in this city and the crazy "hair" styles.

That's all for now. Ciao babies. 

Thanks to Basil

It's everywhere; On our caprese salads, along the fence lines, even in some liquori. Basil puts it's stamp of approval, often times that finishing garnish that seems to say, "finito", now you may eat.

 Wait a minute, not that basil... I meant Basil! My darling trainer in Tulsa. He made me lift weights, squat until I could squat no more, do those awful planks, and hang by giant rubber bands. But and this is a big BUT....I was ready for this grand adventure. I have climbed stairs that have seen centuries of pilgrims.

Lifted suitcases and bags, and walked miles and miles of what always seemed to be uphill centro historico (old centers) streets.

This beautiful building was in Volterra, the vampire town. Volterra sits way up high amidst the clouds.

 It is one of the epicenters of the Etruscan people. The museum dedicated to them is amazing with funerary tombs, examples of their mosaic floors, jewelry, even pans which they cooked with. This museo is worth the visit. 

My sweet husband has been in charge of all the driving. He is confident and efficient and I am terrified. Those  10# "curls" have helped me as I have clutched desperately to the handle above the car seat. I have needed all the muscles that Basil has insisted I develop. My "core" has served as a balancing center as Gary has negotiated the many hairpin mountainous turns, avoided scores of bicyclists and pedestrians, and deftly wound us through city centers; old and new. 

Our B &B in Panzano, Chianti, was Il Casselo. Beautifully situated between groves of olives and rows upon rows of grapes. 

And finally why we came to Chianti. 

So, thanks Basil for always being kind but insisting I keep on task. I was ready. I know you too would give me your stamp of approval. 

Next stop...Vienna. 

It's me! Ciao babies.

 

Vino rosso, per favore!

Frances and Franco have been such warm hosts at Frances' Lodge. Our accommodations made us feel at home and at the same time adventurous. The property is surrounded by olive groves from which Franco and Frances produce wonderful artisanal extra virgin olive oil. With our "picnic dinner" (hardly a picnic but a fabulous gourmet farm kitchen preparation) they served a wonderful vino rosso, to die for chestnut honey with a variety of preserved meats and cheeses, and of course homemade pasta. Delizioso!

Our sunset view from the gazebo.

Our private veranda.

We hated to leave but alas, time for Panzano in Chianti. Just a short drive, lunch in Radda (ooh ... and shopping at the Pratesi shoe factory outlet...needed some italian boots), then we arrived at our next "home" Il Casello Country House B & B. 

 Here's my sweetie on our patio. 

And view of the surrounding countryside. Not sure what we have on the agenda tomorrow. 

....psst...you have to check out my new bag I got in Siena. It's outrageous! 

Ciao babies! 

Frozen In Time

 

Our visit to Pompeii was moving. It is a moment in time frozen for eternity.  One second people are living out their lives, a mountain erupts, then fate rains down. It has no respect for what we have achieved or what we need do finish, it just rains down tons of ash and it is over. 

Pompeii is stunning. So much has been discovered and so much is left to be discovered. It is so much larger than I remember. 

The people who lived here were of many different cultures. They admired the Greeks and what they had accomplished, they were highly advanced, with public baths and shopping streets. Temples and parks. A thriving city alive with the passion that remains with the people who inhabit this country still.

After leaving Pompeii we headed to Toscana, Tuscany. Our first few nights here will be at Francis' Lodge, just outside Siena. 

Can you believe the view this morning? 

Then on to Siena for the day. We were fortunate enough to visit the Duomo during the few days that the floors are uncovered. In addition, Francis arranged for us to have a "behind the scenes" tour that literally took us to the rafters! 

Check out these floors. All in marble and the best in Italy! 

Here is a view of the Campio in Siena. 

And the skyline. 

That's all for now. Ciao babies! 

Pazzo! Where's my internet?

Seriously, what is it with Italy and the internet? Everyone has it but God knows if I can access it! Suck on your index finger, stick it in the air, then say a prayer to the local saint! Really! 

Amalfi is beautiful, despite the lack of connectivity. The weather was spectacular, the food was pure comfort (thanks mama), and the people warm and friendly. I love this country! Limoncello abounds, the sardines are fresh, and the passion spills out of everything here. The Cathedral is spectacular. It is of medium size but is large in it's completeness. It is considered a cathedral because it houses 60 "relics", bits and pieces of saints. It's most spectacular relic is the body of the apostle, Andrew. He was brought to Amalfi centuries ago from Constantinople. 

We attended mass then like all good travelers went to the cafe for vino. 

Positano and Ravello on day two. 

That's all for now. Let's see if this will post to you all from Siena! More pictures tomorrow! Ciao Baby!