We splurged with an add-on week by finding an Italian guide who had experience with a well-known U.S. birdwatching tour company. Through a series of emails, Marco Valtriani (www.walkinginetruria.com) organized a wonderful tour Tuscany outside the cities, loaded with natural and archaeological wonders. He was great fun to be with and made sure we had a comfortable as well as fascinating trip. It was so relaxed, Mary didn't make any notes, so information on the photos is sketchy, and perhaps not wholly accurate. This turned out to be our favorite part of the 3-week tour and these photos don't tell even half the story.

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After a week in crowded Italian cities and towns, the Riserva Naturale was a breath of fresh air, literally.

This "forest" was a reminder we weren't that far from modern Italy.

The pretty town square in Stia.

The riverside walk in Subbiano, where we stayed the first night at Corte dell 'Oca..

Flowers and aged walls provided lots of small, pretty views.

The open country had many lovely views ...

 

 

... including one believed to have been used for the background of DaVinci's Mona Lisa.

The palace of the Italian poet Dante, author of the famed "Inferno"

This ancient romanesque church on a hilltop was my favorite of this leg of the trip.

Its interior was plain and comforting.

Marco stopped here in case we needed to do any laundry.

This church has an ancient altar that is the oldest something (here's where I wish I had notes.)

I think even if I didn't love wine, I would be charmed by grapevines.

And these interesting outcroppings added to the setting.

There were many gorgeous views along the way.

The Etruscan tombs near Sovana were special.

... and a must-see spot.

The purpose of this Etruscan pathway carved out of rock is debated, as are the symbols in its wall.

Birdwatching on the Laguna di Orbetello was not unlike Florida marshlands

Except for the the occasional flamingos

I loved this old tree.

One has to wonder why this boat got its name.

This was the starting point for a sightseeing boat trip ..

... into the marsh with a local guide, Marco and some Italian visitors to the area

A view of the marsh.

The entrance to Agriturismo 3 Querce or Il Locando Poderino

The view from the patio off our room.

On the hills of Maremma ...

... which has become a fashionable resort spot, we later learned ...

.. drawing celebs for its food and night life.

We fell in love with Arezzo. A few changes, like getting rid of its TV antennas, and the piazza looks like something of "Taming of the Shrew"

It had its interesting buildings.

For arch fans.

Our favorite hilltown was Pitigliano, home of Italy's oldest Jewish synagogue.

To our backs and across the road, while taking this photo, was a wine shop built into the cliff.

A closer view of Pitigliano, and one of its many narrow and steep walkways.

The town square in Pitigliano gives honor to its rural past.

We had a wonderful walk through the rolling hills ...

of the scenic Parco Naturalistico de Vulci ...

... with its ancient Roman castle complete with moat, and no other visitors.

A photo op on the bridge before visiting the remains of an Etruscan settlement.

Which included a partly reconstructed temple to Mithras.

Tuscany's own breed of cattle.

The fascinating Etruscan tomb museum at Tarquinia was a fitting end to the trip.