Philynda's Travels: Under The Tuscan Sun - Minus Diane Lane but With Beautiful Lyndaq Andrews

As far as the movie goes -- I really liked it -- bit soppy feel good movie but it does also pick up some of the characteristics of Tuscany. I last came when building the Bentalls Centre in Kingston and had to drive through parts when going to the different Granite suppliers with the architects and client -- so just got a taste of its beauty.

On driving around yesterday , Lynda and I both agreed that if we had not been so lucky as to find Aegina in Greece , that we could see ourselves in a Tuscany house with log fires and small pool--well everything is a dream in the beginning isn't it and Tuscany is stunning.

Our Hotel is called --

The drive up to the gates and the first glimpse of the entrance fills you with expectation -- this was definitely a treat to ourselves that makes us feel as though we are in the heart of Tuscany.

And the room and the pool are like this , though no 4 poster--

It also has a bathroom that doubles as a dance hall---

Anyway after breakfast yesterday we went visiting Florence - this city is the most amazing -- yes of course hundreds , maybe thousands of tourists , but that didn't detract from this breathtaking place that has clung on to its history and to its ability to replicate some of what Rome has, especially with the basilica and the Vatican.

The following is going to be a fairly large number of photos of the various buildings , statues, towers , churches and the way that the city has managed to maintain its authenticity while bringing in hi end businesses -- one street with Prada, Gucci, Valentino etc in amongst the tiny pedestrianised alley ways, so forgive if there are too many or it gets boring.

Tuscany produced the Medici Family and it started to gain Prominence with Cosimo Medici and they eventually opened the ||Medici Bank which became the largest in Europe until it failed in 1494.

The family produced 4 Popes so their prominence was seen as being one of the most important families at this time.

They supported the renaissance with support for Michelangelo , Leonardo, macheavelli and funded the construction of the Saint Peter Basilica and the Santa Maria del Flore.

Clearly a powerful lot.

It is funny how the Greek gods appear to have merged into Roman gods as they are everywhere in all the Italian cities and around the religious buildings.

My real issue while hugely admiring the architecture and the skill of the artisans who built these buildings, is that when all said and done , if you believe in this quiet , simple man called Jesus , when do any of the stories/scriptures talk about him demanding that people build these huge buildings in his name. Unfortunately again an example of Mans vanity obviously took over to the point where the Medici's probably believe that they have bought their passage in to heaven.

So we managed to get past about 10 of these shops without having to take the card out - a selfie with me and Giovanni ( bit of a saint round these parts) and just one of a number of flags that appear of St. George -- he definitely got around.

After a few hours and with temperatures getting quite warm and with so many people we decided to head for the hills and get a bit of Frankie's air-con. The countryside in Tuscany is just stunning and the hills are full of the most delightful vineyards and small castles but a couple of last shots on the way back to the car including Florences version of the buildings on the bridge like those of the bridge in Venice with the building on top of it.

Everywhere you look you can see the rolling hills , the Cyprus trees, vineyards and olive groves and castles -- everything except a Don Quixote type ok he may be Spanish but I am sure that Tuscany had their equivalent).