Tuscany

A pup guards his masters pack while he (the master) shops in one of Florence's many markets.

A couple ignores the rain. The background is a row of buildings on the north side of the Arno.

Buildings lining the north shore of the Arno. Only a duck disturbs the calm of the still, late afternoon river.

The Uffizi Museum reflected in the Arno.

Boat tie down arrangement on the Arno.

The dome of the Duomo against the morning sky in Florence. Santa Maria del Fiore (also known simply as the Duomo) is the cathedral of Florence known for its distinctive Renaissance dome. Construction on the dome began in 1420 and was completed in 1436

The dome of the Duomo silhouette against the late afternoon sky in Florence. Santa Maria del Fiore (also known simply as the Duomo) is the cathedral of Florence known for its distinctive Renaissance dome. Construction on the dome began in 1420 and was completed in 1436

The vast interior of Santa Maria del Fiore (also known simply as the Duomo). It is the cathedral of Florence known for its distinctive Renaissance dome.

Adorning the interior walls of the dome, 295 feet into the air is Vasari's "Last Judgment" which was ordered and commissioned by Cosimo de Medici.Construction on the dome began in 1420 and was completed in 1436

The vast interior of Santa Maria del Fiore (also known simply as the Duomo). It is the cathedral of Florence known for its distinctive Renaissance dome. This photo was made from about 200 feet above the main floor.

The Campanile (bell tower) situated in front of the Duomo. It's 300 feet tall and considered one of the most beautiful buildings in Florence.

The Campanile (bell tower) situated in front of the Duomo. It's 300 feet tall and considered one of the most beautiful buildings in Florence. This photo was taken from of the windows in the serpentine stairway that climbs the dome between the inner and outer shells.

The striking Donatello's Mary Magdalene in the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo. The museum is directly west of the Duomo.

Michelangelo's La Pieta in Duomo Opera Museum.

A private courtyard somewhere in Florence.

Motorcycles in Florence.

The Basilica di San Miniato al Monte (Basilica of St Minias on the Mountain) stands atop one of the highest points in Florence, and has been described as the finest Romanesque structure in Tuscany and one of the most beautiful churches in Italy. From here you can see the entire city spread out across the Arno.

A beautiful, shaded street on the south side of the Arno below the Basilica of St. Minias on the Mountain.

A view of the Duomo from across the River Arno.

A hillside somewhere south of Florence.

View from a doorway in Barga.

Typical, clean and neat village street -- this in Barga.

Flower in a window. Possibly Barga, Italy.

Street scene in San Miniato, Italy.

Cathedral: San Miniato's looming Duomo, or Cathedral, is a pleasing mix of Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance styles.

Cathedral: San Miniato's looming Duomo, or Cathedral, is a pleasing mix of Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance styles.

Porta Romana (one of the gateways into Siena).

Lady in the window looks down at the activity in Piazza del Campo -- the center of life in Siena.

Blue hat, red hair. Some of the activity going on in Piazza del Campo in Siena.

Mother and Child in a hill town in southern Tuscany.

Wet street in the hill town of Pienza, Italy.

Since the 1992 vintage of the Brunello di Montalcino wine, the Consorzio del Vino Brunello di Montalcino has commissioned a "piastrella", a tile, to commemorate the harvest. This one is by the famous Senese illustrator Emilio Giannelli.

Side hallway in St. Antimo (St. Anthimus's Abbey, Abbazia di Sant'Antimo in Italian), a Benedictine monastery that dates back to the Middle Ages.

Arcidosso, a hill town in Tuscany.

Pretty flowers, sweet lady in Arcidosso market.

A street scene (pigeon watching lady) Arcidosso, a hill town in Tuscany.

Where once there was a rose window. Between Siena and Massa Marittima lies the spectacular remains of the Abbazia di San Galgano, which was once one of the most important monasteries in Tuscany. Today the ruins are spectacular.

A side hall in the Abbey of San Galgano. Between Siena and Massa Marittima lies the spectacular remains of the Abbazia di San Galgano, which was once one of the most important monasteries in Tuscany.

The ruins of the Abbey of San Galgano, roofless since the 14th century are, none-the-less, clean and well maintained.

A view across the grape vines to St. Antimo (St. Anthimus's Abbey, Abbazia di Sant'Antimo in Italian), a Benedictine monastery that dates back to the Middle Ages.

One of the ancient olive trees on the grounds of St. Antimo (St. Anthimus's Abbey, Abbazia di Sant'Antimo in Italian), a Benedictine monastery that dates back to the Middle Ages.

A capital within St. Antimo (St. Anthimus's Abbey, Abbazia di Sant'Antimo in Italian), a Benedictine monastery that dates back to the Middle Ages. The capital shows Roman influence.

The iconic tree line in Tuscany.