Kentucky

On Tuesday we arrived in Versailles, Kentucky. The area has so many horse farms and bourbon distilleries. 

At night we took a gorgeous ride in the countryside to a quaint town Midway that looked a little like the Wild West. 

On Wednesday we went to WinStar Farms, a championship horse breeding farm. We met famous race horses who won the Kentucky Derby and more. It was very interesting and we got a tour of the beautiful and amazing 2500 acre farm. 

Constitution, championship race horse now a breeding horse.








In the afternoon, we toured Woodford Reserve distillery, one of the oldest distilleries since the 1800s on the “Kentucky Bourbon Trail.”

Lucca

On Thursday eight of us went to Lucca. It was a charming medieval city surrounded by an enclosed wall with a big bike and walking path on top. It had a lot of open space and the city was less busy than others. 

We all biked around the city wall. They had a cool e-bicycle for two. 

On our last day, most of us relaxed at the Villa by the pool. The weather was amazing during the entire trip. At night, we had dinner at the Villa. It was a great trip! 

San Gimignano and Siena

On Wednesday all thirteen of us went in vans to San Gimignano and Siena. San Gimignano was a really pretty medieval city.

Next we went  to to a Siena. It was a nice city with a beautiful Cathedral. 









A few of us climbed the arches and had a beautiful panoramic view of the city.

At the end of the climb to the Arches we had lunch.

Montefiorale, Cortona, and Venice

Today was Billy and I’s 30 year wedding anniversary. We had the best day! We started our day before sunrise by taking a hot air balloon ride with Jeannie, Lee and Lee Slocum. It was absolutely amazing!

Then three groups went to different places. We drove to Greve in Chianti and took a small hike up to Montefiorale. 

Montefiorale was so charming. The prettiest ancient town we have seen with all stone buildings cobblestone streets. 

We ate lunch with a gorgeous view.

Jodi and Michelle took the train to Venice and loved it. 

Heidi, Amelia, Brian, Ellen, John and Becky went to Cortona and visited a monestary.