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Time to leave Siena. Destination the Italian Riviera with my first stop being Monterosso by the Sea.

I put on my backpack and decide to forgo the bus ride to take a long stroll from my Hotel to the Train Station. Seeing how life is beyond the travel books is what I’m after.

On the way to the Train Station I pass by a local Market that happens only on Wednesdays in Siena.

Siena's version of have-mall-will-travel. I'm stoked. Time to find a gift for my wife.

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Early evening has arrived in Siena, Italy. I’ve refreshed, dressed up, and thought I’d catch a couple more unusual local shops before absolutely spoiling myself with a very extravagant dinner tonight (in which you’ll soon join me.)

The first shop I decided to see drew me right in because of . . .

Wipe 'em off before you come in. Are these unique, or what?!

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I’m getting ready to leave Florence for Siena and I hear something that is not found in America.

The moment has arrived and it’s one of those role-reversals. I’m the kid, and my daughter is the grown-up endeavoring to jam-pack into my confused head all there is to know about traveling on a Train to get to Siena, Italy. Here goes.

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It’s my third evening in Florence, I’m all dressed up and definitely have somewhere to go!

WARNING: The following pictures are rated R (for ravenous!) – which is exactly how I felt by the time we arrived at L’Acqua Cheta Ristorante for dinner!

There just happened to be a beautiful couple in front of me entering the restaurant at the same time I was. Got any guesses who they might be?

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You’re on vacation with me, so, time to wake up early and listen.

And after Paolo’s home brew of Italian espresso for the morning, we dress and take a trip to see the Wine Country. Our first stop takes us to a hilltop fortress, a city called . . .

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It’s Day 2 in Florence, and I’m slowly discovering that my daughter, Krosbie has opened my eyes to life. The choices your child makes can be exactly what a parent needs to grow and expand.

Here we are strolling in her backyard, talking about how Italy presents a totally different way of thinking, of reacting, of observing everyday things, when all of a sudden I see an ordinary yet confusing sight in nature.

NEVER have I seen such a sight. Can you tell me what it is? If so, send me an email at rich@nurturemybody.com and win a $10 Gift Certificate from Nurture My Body!

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A little refreshment, a change of clothes, and I’m off to see why my daughter, Krosbie, has fallen in love with Florence.

It’s late afternoon/early evening and first, here’s a quick peek at the school she is attending, called CAPA, which stands for The Centers for Academic Programs Abroad. They have rented a building to hold their classes in, and the school is for American students wanting to study abroad.

I had a rare opportunity to actually sit in my daughter’s Italian class as a local Italian Professor taught the language. You should have been a mouse in the corner watching a beaming Father so proud of the #1 student in the class!

What a place to study art!

We walked everywhere. And THIS you’d never see in your home town!

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And the time has come for me to place family over our company. I have been invited by my daughter, Krosbie, to come visit her while she is attending a study abroad program in Florence, Italy. I shall be journalizing my wondrous trip and sharing it with you.

Rich Leaving for Florence without his Gorgeous Wifey.

And as I settle into the luxury of Air France, leaving from Seattle, WA to Paris, with a final destination of Pisa, Italy, I must say that the menu that tickled my palate was surprisingly tasty. And, since I haven’t traveled in over 3 decades, I learned that I could have all the wine I wanted for free!

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