Tuscany’s Hamlet of Castelfalfi

Having the morning to enjoy before our Tauck adventure begins, we started with one of my favorite things in Florence: climbing the dome - the most miraculous edifice of the Renaissance. With each visit to Italy, you cannot count on consistency; it must drive Rick Steves crazy to try to be accurate in his books. Even though now reservations are required to climb the dome, there is still a long line for our opening 8:30am reservation.

Boldly capturing freedom in stone, Brunelleschi's dome rises from the terra-cotta sea of Florence's roof tiles.  (View from Giotto's bell tower, which I climbed right after the dome.)

Climbing between the concentric shells of the two domes.

Top of dome

View of Florence and Giotto's bell tower from dome

The duomo complex ticket includes the duomo museum which has the original sculptures like Michelangelo's Pietà and the baptistery doors. Under renovation during our last stay in Florence, the museum is high tech. Most of the artwork is exposed but if you get too close, a high pitch alarm sounds.  (It went off when I zoomed too closely into a small piece of art.)

Donatello's Penitent Saint Mary Magdalene, an amazing and thought-provoking wooden sculpture, with a crucifix reflection mirrored in the background

Our tour with Tauck is one of their special "events" where you stay in one location and partake in exclusive privileges. This event is called "Under the Tuscan Sun".

The Tauck tour "Under the Tuscan Sun" has officially begun

We are spending the week just outside of Florence taking day trips to the surrounding area from the 2,500-acre hamlet of Castelfalfi, recently purchased and renovated by Tui for $250 million.

Driving through Tuscany, don't worry if you pass too quickly by the most amazing view - the reason you've come here ... because after every turn (and there are a lot) is yet another classic Tuscan view: rolling hills, rows of cypress and olive trees, vineyards, and a stone villa.

One of the amazing views from where we are staying - Toscana Resort Castelfalfi estate near Montaione

The welcome reception and dinner for the 160 Tauck guests was quite the spectacle up at the hamlet's medieval castle - with flags, fanfare, drummers, famous people from the renaissance, a medieval band, wine, and exceptional food.

One of my best friends from high school is our Tauck tour director



Dante, Catherine of Siena, Galileo, Puccini, Lorenzo the Magnificent, and Mona Lisa

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