It's Grape Harvesting Time!

Ciao Everyone!

It's been another great week in Florence, and I can hardly believe it's Friday evening already. We have a scheduled trip to Genova and Cinque Terre this weekend, and we leave at 7:30 tomorrow morning.  Genova is harbor city in Northern Italy that is known for it's pesto and the fact that Christopher Columbus was born there! We are spending the day there on Saturday, and I will look forward to sharing pictures with you all. On Sunday, we are headed to Cinque Terre which literally means "5 Villages".  A guide book describes this place's natural beauty saying, "Goat paths link the five towns, winding through vineyards, cacti, and lemon trees"... Sounds like an adventure to me!  

Today I just got back from a "field trip" (if you can really give it an educational title) that included a bus ride out to a chianti farm in Tuscany.  I think it was the first time I experienced something that I would have considered "typical Italian" when I pictured Italy before I had ever been here.  The bus ride was hilly and beautiful, with vineyards stretching for miles on either side of the narrow road. When we finally pulled up to a rustic looking building with a sign that read "Fattoria Castello: IL Palagio" I knew we were in for a treat....

We explored the grounds of the castle/farm for a while and then took a tour of the wine cellar.

I quickly fell in love with the panoramic views, lush gardens, sweet grape smell, and of course.. the wine itself. We were served 4 different wines (1 white, 2 reds and a sweet dessert wine). Luckily we had some cheese, salami, and bread to sample along with our drinks.. because anyone who knows me is aware of my..... well, how should I say it...  low tolerance! 

After a few hours total on the farm, we loaded the busses again, this time with a warm, wine glow and a brand new love for the Tuscan countryside.

I am aware of the fact that I have made most of you officially jealous at this point, so I think I'm going to sign off and head to do some laundry and cook dinner. (See! It's not all fun and games!)

Love to all at home! I'm looking forward to posting pictures soon.

Arrivederci!

Kate