We spent the afternoon in Montepulciano.  After having a delicious lunch we explored the town to see what it was all about.   Montepulciano is a hillside town (aren't they all) so there were lots of steps to climb as always but gorgeous views from the top of  the town.

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Megan checking out one of the views.  

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20130526_2013_may_italy_0003 Time to relax before climbing up and down all of the streets.

20130526_2013_may_italy_0005 Chris checking out a different type of scenery.  I think he liked this car!

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He really wanted  to take it for a spin.  

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Not being a car person I had to get pretty close to figure out that this was a Jaguar.  I had to admit that it was a very cool looking car- I loved the colour.

20130526_2013_may_italy_0010 All dressed up on a Sunday afternoon.

20130526_2013_may_italy_0008 I was wondering if the  umbrella was a fashion statement as it didn't look like rain.

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20130526_2013_may_italy_0012 The clock tower is in the Piazza Grande where the New Moon movie was filmed.  The tower was built in the 15th century. You can see the whimsical bell ringer above the clock.  

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Always fun to see how people take their pictures.  

20130526_2013_may_italy_0014 This business  started in  1848 when the family's great-great-grandfather left the mines to open a stationery and bookbinding business.  Today all kinds of leather products are made here.    

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Interesting outdoor display.

20130526_2013_may_italy_0013 Gretchen finding something of interest to photograph.  Like the other towns this one is full of narrow  streets.

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There were lots  of steep streets in this town but they led to beautiful old houses with views overlooking the hills.

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A view from the top of the town.  

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I had to include a laundry scene.  

20130526_2013_may_italy_0018 There was a lot of colour in the town like most of the hillside towns.

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Lots of  colourful displays on the main shopping street.  There was excellent shopping here- especially for leather items.  

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20130526_2013_may_italy_0033 A family enjoying their afternnoon.  Well perhaps the dog would have been a bit happier had he been actually walking.  

20130526_2013_may_italy_0026 Lots of people deep in thought.  I saw the girl on the right, took her picture and when I came back to the same spot after at least 20 minutes she hadn't moved her position.

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20130526_2013_may_italy_0031 ​Finally someone smiling.

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20130526_2013_may_italy_0035 Last shot in the town before getting on the mini-buses.