Back on Continent

Just got back from vacation, a nice on too.. ten days or so in Italy!
Trip started with arrival in Bologna, a quick drive to Rimini, where we stayed for 5 days, not a terribly exciting town, mostly beachy tourist, (we were told it'd be the Fort Lauderdale Florida of Italy). While there we competed in the World Duathlon Championships, it was good, my runs were horrible, the bike was stellar, pretty much as expected, 'nuff said!
From there off to San Marino, Very Nice city/country. Wickedly perched on a mountain top, wonderful scenery, and things were cheap (I love tax havens!)
Our day trip on San Marino was part of the drive to Montecatini Terma, just west of Firenzi. An awesome drive through-over-under-around the country side of southern Emilia-Romagna Region into eastern Tuscany and past Firenzi.
We stayed in Montecatini, and would day trip from there.. was nice and central, relatively cheap, and beautiful!
day 1 would be a quick bike ride in the AM, and then to Vinci in the afternoon. Really nice country side, small town, home of Leonardo da Vinci.
day 2 we went off a bit farther, down to Sienna, once we got there, found parking (litterally an hour later) toured the town, very nice! very busy, I cannot immagine what it would be like there in peak season!
One of those two nights we went up to Montecatini Alto, there is a small train that climbs the hill (about 5 min ride) to the old city, which overlooks the main town and valley below, got the sunset ride up, ate dinner, and then twilight ride down! wonderful!
day 3, would be a ride day of sorts, weather sounded good, but so drove to San Marcello Pistoiese, after another twisty hilly drive, we arrive to a gorgeous area, and weather that did not clear off. so a bit damp and cool. Great mountain ride, long climb up over, and flew back down into town!
day 4, we'd opt for another 'close to home' day trip. This time Lucca, another gorgeous old city. We'd then hop on the bikes for a quick ride/side trip to Piza, heavy headwind climb to the tunnel, popping out the other side to a heavier headwind across to Piza. Saw the tower, its still leaning, and cruised the tailwind back to Lucca. Highlight would be the 950m long tunnel, dont know which was more fun, trip one or two through it.. we'd pop out on the way back to Lucca with that tail wind from the headwindy ride over! and a nice downward facing slope! awww yeah!
No Cippolini sighting in Lucca..
day 5 we'd leave Montecatini, and headed for Bologna, with a stop in Porrette Terme, for one last ride, this one up the Corno alle Scalle (staircase to the horn?). It was the finale of an epic stage 3 of the 2004 Giro d'Italia. 30km up, pictures, and 30km DOWN! we'd start in Porretta Terme (350 meters above sea level *msl) drop down to Silla (300msl) and head upwards topping out near the Centro Servizi (around 1500msl) Epic!!! Over 1200 meters of climbing, beautiful terrain! absolutely gorgeous!
From there to Bologna for the night, and up to catch flights back home in the early am!!
excellent trip!
Cross season starts (for me) on sunday!