Riding Horses, Tasting Wine, Typical Tuscany.

Things have been absolutely wonderful the past couple of weeks here in Italy! Not that things aren't always wonderful, but since spring break in Spain I have been doing more localized travel and enjoying what Tuscany has to offer. 

Right after spring break I had the surprising news that my good friend and rugby teammate from Madison, Emily, was going to be in Florence! She is studying abroad in Germany for the entire year, and I hadn't seen her in nearly 8 months. This girl (I give her tons of credit) decided to get ride of her facebook a while ago, so we have been keeping in touch via email. Seeing her and spending three days with her was amazing! I felt so lucky - spending time with Ali in Spain over break and then Emily the week after. We hung out in Florence, but she even came to Sesto Fiorentino to check out the Villa and do some hiking with me. Seeing Emily was LONG overdue!

Incredibly happy to be reunited!

A few weekends ago, five other girls and I went horseback riding! We traveled to a nearby town called Castelfiorenino, and spent the day taking a short 'riding lesson,' eating a delicious homemade meal of pasta Bolognese, and riding horseback through the hills of Tuscany. The views were indescribable, especially from the top of the mount we rode our horses to. By far some of the best I have seen yet - everything was SO picturesque! The couple who hosted us was incredibly welcoming and friendly, making the experience that much better. Below are some images from our adventure:

The stable, with Luby outside

B E A -utiful

The lovely Wilma

Let the landscape photos begin!

First riding lessons, Camellia and Sara

Round two of lessons, Grace and I

Last but not least, Rebecca and Jenna had their lessons

This lil'ladybug decided to set up camp on my boot!

Yummmy lunch

My faithful horse, Wilma

One last shot...

The next weekend, our program offered an optional (and free!) trip to the nearby town of Poggio a Caino. Here, we first stopped at a villa of the Medici family for a few hours. Then headed to Capezzana Winery, where we got a free tour and tasting!! I had really been looking forward to this trip since I had worked at Simon Creek Winery and knew a little bit about what we were seeing. Not to mention this, and the tasting, was payed for by the program! Too good of an offer to pass up. The winery definitely made me a customer, though...I just couldn't resist. 

The Medici Villa

Girls on the trip!...plus Jason who snuck in behind 

The Medici had a tolerable view from their hilltop villa...

Almost to the winery!

Anxiously awaiting our tour and tasting

SO much vino. 

The creepy, slightly moldy tunnels to travel between the underground rooms

HUGE wooden barrels....

...and smaller barrels.

The wine I later purchased - I guess it was destiny?

Let the tasting begin!

They also make delectable olive oil (which I bought)

The vino I decided to splurge on after tasting. You only live once, right?

Lovelies.

Oh, Tuscany. You never let me down.

I spent this past weekend in Venice, and tomorrow am heading to Sicily until late Saturday! I plan to blog about BOTH of these incredible places when I return (well, I can only attest to Venice at the moment but have high hopes for Sicily). Hopefully this update tides you over until then :)