Sept 21, 2017
Out flights were connecting in Toronto, and both my and Ruth’s flights were delayed so we did a literal run through the airport in order to make out connection.
We landed in Rome, went to retrieve our rental car and headed out of the city and on to our Tuscany adventure. Making one stop in Monterano before heading to Hotel Viterbo for the night (would recommend).
Drive to Monterano
Antica Monterano Ruins (The Ghost City of Monterano)
Sept 22, 2017
We visited the following three sites today before heading on to Hotel Eden in Chianciano.
Monsters of Bomarzo
Civita di Bagnoregio
La Scarzuola
Sept 23, 2017
We spent a few hours walking around Florence, visited Demidoff and then headed to B&B Pianeta Benessere (would recommend) in Pistoia.
Drive from Chianciano to Florence
Florence
Colossus of Villa Demidoff (Parco Mediceo Di Pratolino)
Sept 24, 2017
This day we drove a lot of winding roads through the mountains making a couple of stops on the way to La Spezia; where we stayed at La Cantinetta. We decided to stay here for a few days and adventure out on day trips.
Rochetta Mattei
Unfortunately, they were prepping for a wedding so we couldn’t go in.
Ponte della Maddalena Bridge
Drive to La Spezia from the Bridge
Piazza al Serchio
Sept 25, 2017
We visited Cinque Terre and stopped at 3 of the 5 villages.
Riomaggiore
Manarola
Corniglia
We got off the train at this stop, looked at the ridiculous flight of steps needed to get up there and got back on the train to go to the next stop.
Vernazza
Sept 26, 2017
We decided to drive up to Genoa. Unfortunately, we did not like the look of the city and the traffic was so bad that it was barely moving. So we decided not to stay and visit and headed back to La Spezia to a lazy day.
Sept 27, 2017
We made three stops this day on ur way to Orbatello where we stayed at Campeggio Gianella (great campground with cabins you can rent).
Pisa
Drive from Pisa to Cascate del Gorello (Hot Springs)
Cascate del Gorello (Hot Springs)
Drive Cascate del Gorello to Il Giardino dei Tarocchi
Il Giardino dei Tarocchi
Sept 28, 2017
We made the following stops and ended up back near the Rome airport for the night at B&B Pallina. I loved this place and it was a great location for walking to restaurants and shopping.
Fortrezza Spagnola
Unfortunately, it was closed when we got there.
Necropoli Etrusca della Banditaccia
Gardens of Ninfa
Sadly, these awesome gardens were closed. We definitely need to make sure that the next time we are near Rome they are open so we can check it out.
Norma (Pargo Archelogico di Norba)
Since Ninfa was closed, Ruth has the crazy idea to drive up the mountain to Norma. Of course, we were on crazy narrow switchbacks with a semi truck in front of us. SCARY!
Sept 29, 2017
We had a great breakfast at the B&B, returned the rental car and headed home.