food, lots of food

 Whoever decided that the Mediterranean diet is good for you must not have feasted in Tuscany.  On the evening we arrived there, we were driven to a 'delightful regional restaurant' which was also a B&B (12 rooms) with a vineyard, and olive orchard, and lovely rolling scenery all around.  We dined outside in a patio area while music played and people laughed.  A few tables away from us, a wedding celebration was in full swing.  We were served locally produced wine and lots of food.  We discovered that a typical meal included an antipasto dish of olives (I love olives), cheeses, sliced tomatoes, pesto and more.  Then came a pasta dish, and then the meat and potatoes.  Of course all of that was followed by dessert and more wine.  It was a chilly but lovely evening.  I even danced a little.

This is a stairway in the patio area where we ate.  I think it's lovely.

Here is an interior shot of St. Peter's Basilica that I forgot to include yesterday.  We were allowed to take pictures there, unlike the Sistine Chapel which comes later in the trip.

This really doesn't do it justice but the Tuscany landscape is beautiful.  I didn't expect mountains but they run the length of Italy. The grayish trees in the foreground are olive trees.