We left a gorgeous day in Montalcino to tearful goodbyes and much happiness for all that we experienced. Heading north, we got on the autostradde just south of Florence and enjoyed some magnificent scenery, from the mountains, to the prairies, to the ocean of Venice.
Ahhhhh, but Venice. There were no gondolas, water taxis, or vaporettos running on this busy Sunday. There were races in the canals of all sorts of floating contraptions, but mostly multi-person skulls. Never saw a start or finish line, but these had commandeered the scene. They were fun to watch but couldn’t get to some places because of crowds now all reduced to walking.
We managed to get to St Mark’s Square, where there is construction limitations on the campanile, only to find it wall to wall people (Multiple cruise ships in port). Lines were so ridiculously long, we passed on all sights and had a cup of hot chocolate, and people-watched and meandered down alley-ways that weren’t impassable.
We took a bus and a train from Vicenza, where we are staying at a military base, a very ,very nice suite with every amenity. I was slammed with a head cold so we are staying a third night before heading to Bern, didn’t want to spread it. Steve thinks it’s wine withdrawl. I’ve gone 3 days without and I’m going into detox?
So it’s mixed reviews on Venice.
The clock is ticking on Montalcino and Italy. We have been enjoying the company of Andy, Lisa, Jeane and Kathie in Florence, Siena, Montalcino of course, and now headed to Roma.
It was so great to rendezvous with Andy and Lisa in Florence! 
We had an awesome hotel and some “pinch me” moments, like seeing Michaelangeo’s David. Our dinner on the Ponte Vecchio was a huge highlight for me, and I think the Segway Tour thru the city was for Steve (watch out for flying Debbie, as she bit the dust once again).
The market is a big thing in Italy. No malls, no Costco, and not many people have cars, so the market comes to them. We have our market in Montalcino on Fridays (8 AM to 1PM), Buonconvento on Saturdays and Siena on Wednesdays. Vendors pull up in trucks, open the side panels and display their wares so all the locals can come to do their shopping. 
Montalcino has about 3 food vendors (fresh fruit and vegtables and at least one large pig) and about 12 clothing vendors (purple is the “in” color this year). Siena on the other hand probably had 75-100 clothing vendors. 
No real “deals” but a fun way to spend a part of the day. (Steve hopes to catch a deal on a leather jacket at the Florence market place)
Leonardo di Vinci
What great fun, and how humbling to have good freinds join us here in Italy!! We love having them here and their support in our explorations of Tuscany. Great meals, great wine, and great fellowship. They see things we don’t see, and explore things we might be a little timid to strike out on our own and do, and join us for Buon Pasqua!! Today was Sienna, tomorrow is tours of wineries, and Wednesday is Florence!! Praise God for the Gift of Friendship!!
The town is bursting with tourists and family that have come back home to visit for the holiday. We felt very lucky to find room at a restaurant we wanted to try after the first one was all booked. What a meal! I had homemade ravioli in burro as primo piatta, Steve had zuppa di funghi, Mary and Ron had crostini . For our secundo piatta, Ron and I had roast chicken in brunello sauce and sauteed spinach with lemon, Steve had cingheri stew (wild boar). Mary had boar in padetti noodles and a side of white beans. A bottle of Rosso di Montalcino topped it off. 
While walking off our meal, several were tempted to have a gelato chaser to a great meal!