Florence Italy in late afternoon sun

Four young ladies from Holland enjoy gelato cones in a doorway, near the market in Florence.Artist Matteo Appignani draws renditions of Michelangelo’s paintings with colored chalk on a street near the marketplace in Florence. He started the project at 10am and hoped to be done by 9pm that night.

Storm clouds pass over the countryside and the town of San Gimignano, Tuscany, Italy

Imposing towers in the town of San Gimignano, Tuscany, Italy

A man passes a shop featuring boar sausage in the town of San Gimignano, Tuscany, Italy

Co-owner (with her husband) Marcella Giunti serves “orange” juice (red and delicious) coffee and cappuccino in Pasticceria Armando e Marcella in the town of San Gimignano, Tuscany, Italy.

The tuscan countryside near Volterra Italy.

A tuscan home in the setting sun near Pienza in Val D’Orcia, Tuscany, ItalyTuscan sunset near the city of Volterra Italy.

Sheep wait to be milked north of Sienna Italy. The animals provide a large cheese economy for the region.Tuscan sheep cheese is also known under the old, popular name of “cacio marzolino” from its period of production which traditionally began in March and continued all Spring long.

The Italian National Bird (a pigeon) outside our hotel window in Montepulciano, Val D’Orcia, Tuscany, Italy. These birds were everywhere, and as I noted no public defecation, I had assumed the Tuscans had trained them throughout the years. Well done!

World famous winemaker Adamo displays a bottle, in Contucci winery, Montepulciano Italy. Wine enthusiasts Anita Binns-Moore and her boyfriend Alessio Melchiorri enjoy a glass of this very special wine in the late afternoon.

Four couples enjoy the afternoon sun in Palazzo de Nobili Tarugi, Palace of the Tarugi Nobles, in Piazza Grande in Montepulciano, Val D’Orcia, Tuscany, Italy

A neighborhood flag in the city of Sienna, Italy.
The neighborhoods/district/contrade are an important identity to the people of Siena,

A Pigeon in flight and tower in Sienna Italy