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5/8 Sat – We took the train to Florence, rented a car and drove to our villa in Tuscany.

We drove over a mountain, up a steep hill and finally arrived at our new home for a week.

We are in the middle of nowhere! This is a remote location overlooking hills and vineyards.

Vertine is typical of Chianti's fortified villages.

Towns like this originated as communities of farmers banded together

on easily defensible hilltops overlooking their farmland.

The “apartment” has 14 feet ceilings in every room. It’s been totally remodeled

with granite counters, custom wood cabinets, tile floors and cool lighting.

The pool looked inviting, but it was a bit too cool for us.

5/9 Sun – We hiked a loop around Gaiole up to the top of a hill for a panoramic view,

through dark woods of pine trees, and finally through the vineyards of Chianti.

At the end of the day we enjoyed the wildflowers we picked and the wine.