Urban Hiking Tuscan Style
While on a recent trip in Tuscany, some friends asked if I wanted to join them on a "walk" from Florence up to the beautiful Tuscan town of Impruneta. Of course! How could I pass up an opportunity to be guided by experts through areas overflowing with so much beauty and history?
Thank goodness my friends were patient with me while I had to take a couple breaks up those hills (they are in much better shape than me!) We decided to make a caffeine/gelato stop about halfway into the walk. Just before we came upon a little bar, my friend said, "there is Galileo's house", I thought he was kidding but it was true! Here were were on a small path a few miles from Florence and there sits Galileo's house. Amazing.
A few feet up the road we reached the bar and each grabbed a pick-me-up. This bar seemed to be in the middle of nowhere so it was funny when we walked around to the back side and there was big room with a tv broadcasting a soccer game and what I guessed to be all the men in the town gathered around to watch. It was one of those moments that I absolutely love-watching the locals in their element.
We finally made it to Impruneta after a few more miles, a few more hills and a couple more rest breaks for me. I think we hiked almost 12 miles (uphill!) and I was completely exhausted but it's one of my favorite memories from my trip! That's what travel is all about - having experiences and making memories.
