Ciao!

Last night in Italy with my beautiful niece. #italy2014 #calvanos #hamlinhouse #TuscanSun

at Rialto, Veneza

Grande Canal, Venice. Truly amazing. #italy2014 #calvanos #hamlinhouse (at Grand Canal)

New hat. #italy2014 #calvanos #hamlinhouse

Bellini at Harry's Bar in Venice for Grandpa. #italy2014 #calvanos #Venice (at Harry's Bar)

Day 6: Montepulciano and wine tasting! Today we started by visiting the local butcher shop. We got 14 beautiful 3/4" steaks freshly cut for €31 euros which is about $44 US, a deal I think! Then we took about a 45 minute drive to a little winery called Tenuta Valdipitta. They produce about 100,000 bottles of wine each year on about thirty hectors which is about 50 acres. We sampled 7 wines including a desert wine that was fabulous. We're bringing a few bottles back. Next we went to the city center of Montepulciano and strolled along the steep streets enjoying more gelato and shops. Back at the villa we're getting a little pool time in before heading out for another round of pizza.

The streets of Montepulciano! So beautiful. Saw some of the best leather shops so far with hand made shoes. Wish I had more 💶 (at Montepulciano)

Caffe gelato in Florence. #latergram #italy2014 #calvanos #hamlinhouse

Toady we visited Pienza and in both our village and Pienza they were celebrating Corpus Cristi. They spread flowers down the center of the streets to mark the procession path to the church. Each home and business created different designs in tribute. We saw hearts, chalices, sunbursts, and beautiful grid designs that reminded me of Tibetan sand art designed by the monks. I'll post more pics tonight. This is the door to our villa behind Louie.

Selfie in Italy. Life is rough! (at San Giovanni d'Asso)

Villa livin'. #italy2014 #calvanos #hamlinhouse (at San Giovanni d'Asso)

Dining al fresco panoramic fail. Andy and Charlie couldn't sit still and lost a limb in the process.

My view for the next two weeks from Villa La Consuma. #italy2014 #calvanos #hamlinhouse (at San Giovanni d'Asso)

Top of the mornin' to ya Dublin! #Ireland #Italy2014 #Calvanos #Hamlinhouse

Long line of 'vanos checking in. #italy2014 #calvanos #hamlinhouse