The Hilltop Towns in Tuscany

In the distance, you can see them sprinkled throughout the landscape - Tuscany's hilltop towns are charming and inviting.
We spent many mornings and afternoons exploring these beautiful locations, drawn in by their age and moved by their history.

We saw these sweet babies on the way to our villa...

Not this Villa...
These babies are 1 Million Bucks a pop (I was told by the guy on the far left, but it looks like it closer to 500k)... The Mercedes McLauren...
Hill Top Town of San Gimignano
Melinda and Noah on the main drag
The town square
...detail...
Noah loved to push the stroller
A wall in the main square of Monteriggioni
Awesome flower field on our way to Volterra
Melinda...
Volterra
Melinda likes this pic...
The side streets of Volterra
Sweet shrine in the wall
Roman theater at the end of town
Noah having fun
detail of 2/3 of the stage
More side streets of Volterra
Alleyway
Melinda and Noah
Noah walks up the steep hill to the park
Family Picture
Medici Fortress on the other side of town (Volterra), now a prison...
Melinda and Noah in the park
Volterra
Side street in San Gimignano (love the light)
The best Mandorlato shop in Tuscany
More of San Gimignano
Landscape from the same point
Melinda loves Tuscany
Melinda's new villa
We found a park for Noah
He loves to swing
The skyline of San Gimignano
Melinda overlooking the valley
Another family shot...
The clouds looked a little threatening
A window in the town of Castle Forentino
Wine and the market
We loved all the doorways
The Church in Castle Forentino
Of Course...
Our last day, and there was so much rain in Montalcino...
oh yea, and the GIRO d'ITALIA!
The official wine of the Giro d'Italia...
The finish, but we had to get out of town to catch our flight... so no racers...
cute courtyard...
The castle of Montalcino

(More to come, we need to post on Siena!)

Under the Tuscan Sun...

We have three pictures hanging on our bedroom walls of Tuscany.

Landscapes of vibrant, red poppies, bold sunflowers and old rustic buildings, all adorn with terra-cotta rooftops. There are endless acres of rolling hills, blue skies and Italian Pines jetting out from the lush, green grass. We thought the pictures were simply embellished photos to appease the eye and tease the senses, but this May we realized that the images that greet us each day as we rise and each evening as we fall into a peaceful slumber are remarkably accurate.

Tuscany is magnificently beautiful and her people are jovial and pleasant.

Days are long and lazy starting with a strong cup of Italian coffee, a walk through ancient towns and a stop over for a refreshing gelato. Craftsman ship is alive and well in Italy. As we strolled down small streets, you could witness artisans articulately crafting new pieces of pottery, and seamstresses fast at work. Nights were filled with local wines, handmade pastas and cherished conversation. Tuscany and its' people are magical; they draw you in, captivate your senses and leave a heartfelt impression.

Drive to Tuscany

On the Road through small towns

A view from the highway

Rolling hills and blue skies

Sheep fast at work

The Tuscan sunsets are magical

Where we stayed

The countryside at sunset

Our Villa, if only for a week...

Noah enjoying the view with Dad

Noah having fun with the pebbles

Family Photo

Vineyards

and wine...

Noah, our little Super Hero

Tuscan Landscape (Color)

Tuscan Landscape (Black & White, which one is your favorite?)

Wine in the making (Chianti Classico to drink in 2014?)

Sunset after a good rain!

Sunset

Oh, Tuscany

More Sunset

Hilltop of Poggibonsi

Sunny Day, Beautiful Landscape

Charming

Tuscan Flowers