Our Rick Steves' itinerary calls for "...an aperitivo of Tuscan drinks and appetizers before...free time to enjoy the city...on your own." It did not say, "a group dinner with wonderful wine and a huge buffet of delectable dishes in an atmospheric local restaurant cellar followed by a gelato chaser with your guide". But that's what we did. 

David knew what he was doing when he planned the generous buffet of course, but I'm fairly certain that when he made his kind offer to accompany those of us returning directly to the hotel, he did not anticipate the keenness of the entire group to take him up on it. All of us follow him. Eagerly. Like baby ducklings.

As he walks, he mentions that up ahead is one of his favorite places for gelato and that he is stopping. We are free to tag along, if we wish. We wish, oh yes we do.

My first taste of gelato is also one of my best tour memories; the group of us standing outside the off-the-beaten-path gelato shop while spooning the creamy delight into our mouths. It's relaxing and fun getting to know everyone this way. The low-key alley lighting and the people leaning against the (probably) thirteenth century walls has the atmosphere of a noir-film. When the night finally does end, our group is well on the way to becoming friends.