20130522_tuscany_0267-Edit-Edit I wandered around the narrow streets of the Volterra.  As usual there was laundry hanging out to dry everywhere.  On the photo on the right you can see Beth and Megan in the distance.

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We did a lot of walking up and down the hills in town.

20130522_tuscany_0273-Edit-Edit A view of the Medici Fortress in the back, left hand side of the photo.   The fortress was built on the highest point of the hill overlooking the town.  The origins of the fortress actually predate the Medici rule and the southern part was constructed by the Duke of Athens who had been appointed governor of Florence in 1342.  The fortress was upgraded by another Florentine ruler, Lorenzo the magnificent who was responsible for building the adjacent newer fortress in 1475.  Currently the fortress is used as a maximum security prison.   You can still tour parts of the fortress or eat in the restaurant which is operated by supervised prisoners.  We were too late for lunch!

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A few more street scenes.  It has been a long time since I've seen a cigarette machine.  

20130522_tuscany_0329-Edit This man was happy to pose for Brenda and me.  I even got a close up of his arm.  He was so proud of his tattoos.

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20130522_tuscany_0370-Edit-Edit I was wondering around looking for interesting people to photograph but I think these pooches checking each other out were just as interesting as the people.

20130522_tuscany_0373-Edit This little girl wanted some money.

20130522_tuscany_0385-Edit-Edit Gretchen and I met this nice German family who were happy to pose for us.  We sent them the pictures after we got home.

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After eating dinner in Volterra we left for our final destination of San Gimignano.  But of course this being a photography tour, we stopped to take pictures as the sun was setting.  Below are several pictures of the photographs taken.  

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20130522_tuscany_0415-Edit-Edit-Edit I think by now you all have an idea just how beautiful the landscape in Tuscany is so is the last shot included for this blog(although I have many more)!    Shortly afterwards we headed to town.  By the time we arrived in the town of San Gimignano it was getting dark.  Earlier in the day we had stopped outside of the town to drop off all of the luggage which was to be transported to the hotel Leon Bianco.   There was a van there waiting to get our luggage to take it where we were staying.  Now when we arrived in the evening the bus dropped us off at the gates of the medieval looking town and we had a shortish climb up the hill to our hotel.  I think everyone was very happy that when we arrived in our hotel rooms the luggage was waiting for us.