Hot Pink Bus Time: Italian History & Culture.
Bus time features our outstanding tour leader, David who shares his knowledge on whatever particular element of Italian life informs the day's events. Prior to the Brunello Wine tour, we learn that olive oil "hates light, heat, and air". While driving to a family farm visit, David shares a lovely personal family story that centers on Sunday dinner with his own parents and sister (everyone in the family comes together to help in the planning and preparation of food--it's a vital component of Italian family connections).
Italian history, as well as modern-day Italian culture, is on tap too: The Italian election is a few short days away and David shares his enthusiasm for the election process (as well as the fascinating issues at hand). We hear how the Italian education and healthcare systems are structured (Boring? Nope, anything but), the impact grandparents have on Italian family life, the impact WWII continues to have on past and present generations, and more. Fascinating, educational, entertaining and fun. That pretty much sums up bus time.
During a pre-tour discussion, Rita and I wonder about the quality and quantity of time on the bus. Memories of childhood car trips spent in the backseat of a Ford spring to mind. Those trips were cramped (five kids jammed into the backseat of a Ford) and incredibly monotonous and boring. After a little research, we are convinced that our Rick Steves tour will be nothing at all like that (and it's not).
Thanks to the philosophy of Rick Steves, our tour bus is modern and full-sized, and provides room-to-stretch-out comfort for everyone in our small group. Thanks to our driver, Rudy, our bus is sparkly clean and well appointed (Rudy makes bottled water available, too). Thanks to our tour leader, David, bus time is a book-you-hate-to-put-down page turner.
Our tour leader, David entertaining our group at dinner one night by instructing us on the beauty (and humor) of Italian gestures. (Check out his online lecture series, offered Here).
Right, Rudy, our friend and tour bus driver extraordinaire, enjoying a quiet moment before the day's drive.
Maremma, Monday, 9/18/22
We say goodbye to Isabella and her family today, and drive from La Moscadella in Val d'Orcia to Maremma. It's the longest bus ride of the tour, but David makes time fly. Plus, for me (a horse-crazy-since-birth-girl) there is a sense of anticipation. The destination is a working cattle ranch near Maremma, and where there are cows, there are horses.
Rita checking out the view-in-every-direction covered patio, soon to be the scene of a fabulous meal of good wine and delicious dishes.
Before lunch, we get a tour of the stunningly lush ranch.
