It was no surprise to see that Florence, Siena, San Gimignano and Venice are all in the top 25 best European destinations in the Travelers' Choice Awards this year. All are included in Time of Your Life Tours' Artful Tour of Florence and Venice. 
Each offers unique delights and we love to show our clients the out-of-the-way special places most tourists never see and hidden treasures like this mysterious statue that seems to be peering out of a window in Siena.
Or this view from the wall in San Gimignano, high above the Tuscan hills. When I took this shot last month, a lone harpist was playing the most haunting music, lending a real medieval touch.
Or this shop full of luscious hand-made chocolates on a tiny street in Florence's oldest neighborhood. It's one of the places we like to pick up a treat while we're strolling and browsing some of our favorite jewelry and leather shops.
Or this amazing staircase in a building known as the Bevolo (snail) tucked in a maze of by-ways in the heart of Venice. You can easily see it from San Marco Basilica's bell tower, but it's tricky to find even with a map. It's one of my favorite architectural fancies.
I just got home a couple of weeks ago, and already I am longing to return...
If you're longing for Italy, check out our Fall 2008 tours on our website: Time of Your Life Tours. It's not too late to join us before the July sign-up deadline.
