Take time to smell the roses

Trip Start Apr 28, 2008

Trip End Jul 04, 2008

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Flag of Italy Montecarlo, Tuscany, Italy
Monday, May 26, 2008

Today we visited the Garfagnana region, situated in the mountains. It was a beautiful 75km drive through forests and hills to our first destination Largo de Vagli (Lake Vagli). This is a largest manmade lake in Europe (apparently). Its turquoise waters seem to surround the town of Vagli – giving it a very medieval feel. Once again, the town was almost completely deserted – not a McDonald's or a Starbucks in sight – lovely.

We had our lunch standing on a precipice overlooking the lake and the massive mountain behind it. It was very picturesque. The mountains look like they are speckled with snow, but it is actually a very white marble that is mined in the region.

We drove further up the mountain, and had a stunning panoramic view of Vagli and its lake. We sat on a bench and just took it all in – sometimes you have to, or you seem to be simply living on the surface of the experience. It is only upon reflection that the realisation sets in – 'we are in Italy. This is Tuscany."

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