Day 4 - Rome to Tuscany

Our last day in Rome and we still need to see the Colosseum. So our bags are packed and we head off to pick up the train at San Pietro Station and head to Termini, the central rail station. We're planning to check our bags at the station, but after some conversation we decide to head to the car rental at the station, check out our cars and leave them in the garage with our luggage. Then head back to the Colosseum.

It's only 10 am when we arrive, but the temps already over 90 degrees and it is HOT! But we're seasoned Rome travelers by now so in we go to the Colosseum where it has to be at least 100 degrees. We tour the top ring, walk the bottom ring and head out. The site is amazing, and there's alot to read, but standing in the blazing sun just isn't our thing this morning. We're ready for Tuscany!

So off we go, back to the cars to drive out of Rome. And I'm proud to say I'm an official card carrying Rome driver! Now I have to admit getting out of Rome was pretty funny. John lead the caravan with Gail and Greg giving directions, and I was following with the GPS and Tony. After a few circles around the same block, I took the lead and moved us a bit further out of the city. Then after a few more circles around another block, John took the lead again, we got further out so the driving was less intense. Then I took over with the GPS lead again and we finally made it to the Autostradda. Now you would think getting out of Rome with a GPS would be easy. It would be if there were readable street signs, or even a street sign appeared on every corner. But this is Rome and we're building memories.

We headed north to Chuizi to pick up Blake, a friend of Gregs who had been studying in Florence. He's spending the next few days with us. After we made the connection we heade toward Pienza. We're spending the next 3 nights at Casal Prado, an agriturismo. The family, mom, dad and daughter Thaby, started the business four years ago. Mom grew up on the farm. Her mother and father, who was a German POW during WWII live with them. They are wonderful people, and after 3 days in Rome, this place is just what the tour director ordered. After settling in we headed out for dinner at the Tre Stelle in Montepulciano. Then back to our beds to wait for the roosters to crow in the morning.