Back across the country, we see the hills of the Mountain region begin to taper, in an area called Tuscany. Here there are 3 important cities to visit, among many other lovable towns. Bologna, and the area around it is known as la grassa (the fat), because of the foods the area is best known for. Pasta leads the band here, and we are all familiar with Pasta Bolognese ( with meat). The area blends into Cortona, most known for Bistecca alla Florentine The newest pastime here is the cooking schools popping up all over the area. One can spend a day, or a week, with a local chef learning how to cook “like an Italian”.

We are in the Central Region now, and Florence may be the headliner here for Art, History, and beauty. Visiting the museums here is the start of your history lessons. Donatello’s David is here, along with a treasure trove of art. The churches here resonate with history as you begin to realize just how much of World History centers around this area. A visit to the markets of Ponte Vecchio gets you souvenirs of all sorts. Day trips take you to Piza, and the Leaning Tower, and the medieval walled town of Lucca. Churches in this region date back to the Byzantine era, and one can spend weeks here just visiting the many churches. Also located in this area is Chivitivecchia. This, surprisingly, is the deep sea port for Rome. Working our way toward Rome, we can visit the Monastery of St Francis of Assisi, in the town of the same name. As we pass the area of the International Airport for Rome, Fiumincino, we can see how the highways, houses, and countryside are quickly becoming urbanized into Rome.