Under the Tuscan Sun

Things here only keep getting better and better. I arrived in Florence yesterday, and of course, just like the last few days of traveling, it was chilly, rainy, and just no fun (meaning the weather is no fun, not the place). Surprisingly, I found my hostel without any trouble! The staff was wonderful and so friendly! (I have found that to be true with everyone in Italy) I didn't do too much in Florence yesterday because of the rain and the fact that I didn't get there until the late afternoon.

My hostel is nice, kind of small, but home-like. They include a free breakfast and dinner everyday! So, I was excited to have dinner and meet everyone there! It was just pasta, nothing special, but good (and FREE)! Everyone in my hostel has been really nice and interesting. There are a couple guys from London, quite a few from Cananda, and then some from the good old USA. There were about 12 of us squished around a small 4 person kitchen table eating, drinking wine, and just enjoying each others company! It was really nice! I began talking with two people in particular from Canada and pretty much hung out with them the rest of the evening. They invited me to go to Pisa with them today, so I was pretty excited about that!

This morning, however, my plans changed last minute. While I was waiting to use the bathroom (there are only 2 for about 24 people), I was looking at brochures in the hallway. I noticed one was a bike tour through Tuscany that has tours daily. I jumped to it. I invited the Canadians, but they weren't interested, so I was on my own for this one!

I was suppose to have a reservation for this tour, but luckily they let me come anyway. There were about 25 people in the tour, all around my age with the exception of one couple from Sydney in their 60's. They put us in a bunch of vans and drove us out to the countryside of Tuscany. Thank God the weather was amazing! The ride alone was just breath-taking!

We arrived at a castle, where we got to tour it, do a wine tasting and olive oil tasting (the castle is also a winery and makes olive oil - the best I've ever had in my entire life!!!), and jump on our bikes through the country side!! It was amazing. Words can't even begin to describe just how wonderful this tour was. There were three tour guides, two from Scotland and one from California. They were so funny and friendly. We were split between the guides and got to ride all through the country (about 15 miles by the end). Half way through, we stopped at a small family-run resturaunt for lunch, where we were served a full three-course meal (included in the price of the tour... and so was the wine tasting before)! It was so delicious! Plus, more wine!! You can never go wrong with that! It was just such a wonderful day that I wish I could relive over and over again! Tuscany is beautiful!

I leave tomorrow for Cinque Terre. So, in the end, I didn't really see much of the tourist things in Florence, which is okay with me. It is a very pretty city, and just walking through it is enough for me (that is, until next time I come, of course!) I'm really looking forward to Cinque Terre, which I hear is just amazing! I will get to hike between 5 small little towns right off the western coast of Italy!! Hopefully the weather will be just as good as it was today!!!