This is center of Montecatini Terme!
The most wonderful walkable italian city ever ---we are so at home here, it is clean, festive, and safe to walk and there are so many eateries I doubt we will get a chance to try them all!
After we had checked in, had some lunch and a bit of a nap, we met with our guide Jim West for a walking tour of Montecatini Terme so he could give us a bit of the lay of the land, point out some places that we should not miss, and help us get our bearings so we would know how to find our way back to the hotel when we were done with our time on the town.
Our group is eager and ready to roll!
I still can’t believe we are here!
Go this way for the best pizza, and don’t forget to try every available flavor of gelato!
Most places offer gluten free options!
Mangia!
Which way should we go?
A bit of window shopping maybe??
Bow tie pasta dress!
Keep your wallet in your pocket, it was over 340 EUROS! But fun!
Seriously? I’d break my neck!
Hey, this looks like a quilt!
Lovely street corners!
My traveling companions near the fountain!
Now you’re talking!
We settled for this!
((Yes, this is a Gelato-selfie!!))
Church steeple visible from the fountain.
The bells go off ALL. THE. TIME.
Just gorgeous!
There is so much more to post, but I already know I”ll have a dickens of a time uploading these photos!
Love from Italy --
My, I would seriously put on the pounds with the glorious food. Bet your fit bit is getting a work out! Have a great break - time passes oh so quickly.
ReplyDeleteLinda
Pictures are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteYou are less than 40 miles from town where my husband's grandmother and grandfather were born and raised. It is also the town where I almost died eating gelato. They weren't very careful about not intermingling flavors and I am deathly allergic to strawberries.
ReplyDeleteI could dive in head first into that sweet shop,,,looks like everyone could find something to do, I could study that architecture for DAYS!!!
ReplyDeleteLoving your trip to Italy, thought I recognised an Aussie in the crowd, Julie C.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos.
The bells probably ring at 6, 12 and 6 for the Angelus. Just a reminder to pause and thank God for the gift of His son. I once lived a block from a church. My outdoor dog howled his praises every day!
ReplyDeleteLooks like so much fun! I love "travelling" with you.
ReplyDeleteI'm sew enjoying your Italy trip! If we poked you would you " bleed" gelato? LOL The other chuckle was on my drive trip to Houston. When I saw the turn off for Italy (Texas) I giggled and thought of you. Hugs and please come home! Allison in Plano (Clear Lake at the moment)
ReplyDeleteThank you Bonnie for the tip about gluten free!! The last time we went to Italy was 2007 and shortly thereafter I was diagnosed with Celiac. My husband is from Palermo, Sicily, and we need to make a trip to Italy but also wondering what I was going to do about eating - I'm glad to see that restaurants are offering GF options. Thanks for sharing and you are making it a must to take a trip with Jim West!! I hope he offers another opportunity to go to Italy - I'm going to sign up! Enjoy your trip! Carmela
ReplyDeleteTour? Yes! Dress? Yes! Purse? Yes! GLUTEN FREE?? WOW OH WOW YES!! I never imagined the land of pasta would have gluten free options. Thank you. It makes my dream travel list a bit broader! p.s. Those shoes, however and a NOT for me!
ReplyDeleteTour? Yes! Dress? Yes! Purse? Yes! GLUTEN FREE?? WOW OH WOW YES!! I never imagined the land of pasta would have gluten free options. Thank you. It makes my dream travel list a bit broader! p.s. Those shoes, however and a NOT for me!
ReplyDeleteOMG! Montecatini is so beautiful. I wonder if you got to visit the gorgeous markets dotted near the hotel Settentrionale Esplanade? Viva Italia!!
ReplyDeleteCheers, Anita.