This Is It: Benvenuti in Toscana!

Ok, I'm back!! Both on Blogger and in Italia, this time as an active travel guide. I am now living just south of Florence. I started my time here by hitting the train startion to head back north to visit my au pair family. I ran into some unwanted attention by an older gentleman who definitely didn't have his wits about him, and I made a quick escape underground to the platform entrances and found a friend hiding along with me...

I stood taking pictures, a fairly sane excuse for passersby seeing me hiding out underground.

Things got much more comfortable when I made it back to Reggio Emilia...

My eggplant pizza from a local favorite

The beautiful Bea is looking older all the time! (But still ordering the same pizza as ever: The Reggina minus rosemary)

I went on a gorgeous drive with Nicoletta in the hills surrounding Reggio, in the area known as "Four Castles". Springtime put a whole new face on the region; wildflowers are popping out everywhere and the world looks so alive. It is beautiful!

Terrace overlook of Reggio Emilia at Rincolo Park.

The remnants of Castello di Canossa; one of the area's four castles which belonged to Matilda, a historically important woman to the region.

Vines as far as the eye can see!

The land is so well-organized

Wildflowers! Red poppies are soon to come.

We rode bikes to a neighboring town where a city-wide garage sale of sorts was happening in the main piazza. It was interesting to walk around and see the things people were selling: from old shoes to relic rubber dwarves from Snow White. Sadly, I did not take any pictures there.

I headed back home to the Leader House to enjoy a week off before trips started. I got to tag along on a six-hour hike to test out written directions for a trip. I keep having to remind myself that this is my job. I love it!

A very knowledgable tree. The pedestrian crossing signs here crack me up; the people look like they're running for their lives.

My new friend (and hiking guide) Sarah

The views are amazing!

We found these biscotti in a bakery window downtown. Funny, because that's just where those cookies will stick to me ;)

I also got to go on a bicycle tour of the area. It was my longest ride to date (60 miles--I'll get that 100 miler yet!). I felt strong, which was exciting, as Tuscany is one hill after another. We kept a nice pace, nothing too crazy, and were out biking for about 5 hours, not including obvious stops whenever a good coffee or meal called...

I'm back in Italy! Bellissima

Did I mention we get some great views?

My new friend (and biking guide) Renee. You can't see the boot on her right foot very well, but she totally rocks a healing broken ankle on the ride.

We stopped at Castello di Brolio, which is still partly a private residence and was formerly owned by a major contributor to the reunification of Italy's provinces.

Not a bad front yard.

We had a lot of fun checking out the views.

We stopped at a restaurant to meet a couple other people out researching trips. We planned it so we were over halfway done with our ride, so this was a big payoff. I ordered Pici alle Cinghiale, which is a very popular dish in this area. Pici are thick hand-rolled noodles and cinghiale is wild boar. It was pretty darn good.

Pici alle cinghiale

I am currently on my first trip with guests, though I am playing a background research role (which is why I have time in the evening to put this together!) It started out looking stormy, but turned into a beautiful day!

At our picnic spot you can see the house where Mona Lisa grew up (off in the distance between these two buildings), and where Leo started to paint her.