EuroBlog 2018: Amici Americani

Welcome to Tuscany! So glad to have Marlene & Jim join us here!

Jim checking out the vineyards across from our place

Marlene outside Alessandro's pizzeria, La Cantina di Greve

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EuroBlog 2018: Cycling Adventures

The best part about cycling: stopping off for an expresso and dolce

The not-so-good-part about cycling: mechanical problems

Not sure, but I think Jim may be attempting a root canal on Marlene's bike?

Ah, Toscana! La vita è bella!

EuroBlog 2018: A visit to the Massa Carrara marble mines

Situated just above the cities of Massa and Carrara, in the Apuan Alps, lie the famed "white gold" marble deposits which have been mined continuously since Roman times.

At one time the source of marble for Michelangelo's "Pieta,"
the quarry's white Carrara marble is still extracted for use as columns and monuments

Is John reflecting on his career choice?

Truck traffic dominates the narrow mountain roads

Marble excavation continues above ground, as well. Even with modern mining methods and global demand, there's still an estimated 600 years of marble reserves in these mountains.

EuroBlog 2018: Gli Amici Dell'Universo

So grateful to spend time with our good friends Giulio, Ilaria, and Anita!

Giulio and his daughter Anita -- 14 years old, and growing up so fast!

John and Giulio clowning around with master chef Ilaria after another amazing meal
at her restaurant, "Gli Amici Dell'Universo,"in Cinquale

Giulio excels as a tour guide. Here he is showing us around the cute village of Pietrasanta.

The four of us enjoying a meal together after touring the Carrara marble mines
and the sampling "lardo di Colonatta," a speciality of the region

Sweet treat: Fresh strawberries with homemade yogurt gelato

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EuroBlog 2018: Getting settled into our apartment in Chianti

The entry to our apartment outside of Greve, 1/2 mile up a steep gravel road

Happy hour in our backyard

Vineyard view from the dining room 

Even domestic chores (like washing dishes!) seem more enjoyable here in Italy

Taking in the panorama from our upstairs suite 

Sangiovese vines across the road

Grape leaves have sprouted in early May, but no grapes so far

Vistors welcome!

EuroBlog 2018: Day 1, This must be Italy

Pomodori Italiano: better than home grown tomatos

John at the place where opera great Luciano Pavarotti was born.
(Or maybe this was just one of the places where he used to eat?

We're a little jet lagged still, but enjoying the spirit(s) of Italia

EuroBlog 2018: Prelude

Where does the time go? Another year, another adventure abroad... what better time to officially revive my photo blog. Welcome back to anyone who's been following. This newest chapter began in Whitefish MT and after a series of flights, lay-overs, and delays, finally finds us back in Greve in Chianti, in Bella Italia. Will update my posts soon, post-jetlag.

One last sunset in Big Sky Country before the start of our European trip

On board the KLM "Dreamliner," which more than lived up to its name

Crossing the Alps on the last leg of our flights

Final checked in to our quarters in Greve in Chianti. Mi piace!

Our hostess, Cinzia, greeted us warmly with a bottle of chilled Prosecco.
Cin cin!