Arrivederci Roma

This morning we enjoyed a delicious breakfast in the hotel, then packed our bags and loaded up into the bus, bidding farewell to Rome. 

Our travels took about four hours, while we enjoyed the spectacular views along the highway to the village of Montecatini Terme. The scenery is far different from the congestion of Rome!

I was enthralled with the fields of red poppies that we passed, randomly growing in the countryside, as we made our way northwest.  

While I was admiring the picturesque views, I could hear comical commentary coming from my fellow tour group members who were seated in the back of the bus.  That's when I realized that Marty had shared his Yinzerfishing YouTube channel with them, and they were being entertained in the bus by watching an episode.  

We arrived in our Tuscan hotel just around 3:30 PM, where we were greeted by our tour guide, Joanne.  Our original guide had some sort of emergency, and the agency was forced to find a replacement....quick.  Well, we are very fortunate that Joanne speaks perfect English, and was actually born and raised, right here in Tuscany. She is extremely familiar with all of the destinations featured on our tour and her enthusiasm is bound to make for an entertaining week. I don't think we could ask for better!

Montecatini Terme is a lovely spa town, and I had the good fortune of visiting here with my friend, Morena, when we joined Amy on the RSYO tour in the summer of 2007.  In fact, I think we might be staying in the very same hotel, as many of the features look quite familiar. 

Marty and I quickly settled our items into our room, then decided to head to the Funicolare which is a cable car that climbs up a very long, steep hill, to a medieval city of Montecatini Alto.  Two of our newfound friends, Kim and Alan, joined us. 

We reached the station just as it was time for the car to ascend to the top.

Once up there, we admired the stunning views.

The weather was just perfect!

We ventured up the narrow alleyways into the central square, which, as you can see,  is just charming.

We just had about 45 minutes before we needed to head back down the hill,  because we were due for a welcome meeting in the hotel at 6:30, and the station was about a 20 minute walk to the hotel.  So, we enjoyed a relaxing drink together, made our way down the hill and to the hotel with only a minute or two to spare. 

But, I must say, it certainly was worth the visit, even if it was brief!

After our meeting, we all congregated in the dining area, where our Rome comrades had settled at a table, kindly reserving a spot for Marty and myself. We have a young couple who has joined, who live near Philadelphia, and we all had a grand time enjoying our scrumptious dinner. 

Our tour group increased by 28, with many of the participants older than Marty and me. So, the dynamics have certainly changed! 

But our Rome group of eight continue to be an entertaining bunch who feel quite comfortable in each other's company, and it appears that our new couple fits the mold as well.  

So, let the adventure continue!

Until next time....