Viking Cruises

36 | Viking Explorer Society News Sailing the Iconic Western Mediterranean itinerary with Viking is a study in remarkable contrasts. Every port has its own distinctiveness and reveals a blend of fascinating history, culinary traditions and artistic treasures. After enjoying tango and tapas in Barcelona, exploring a 17th-century château in Montpellier, dining on the finest bouillabaisse in Marseille and wandering the storied streets of Monte Carlo, our ship sailed on to the port of Livorno, gateway to Florence and Tuscany. With our Viking ocean vessel docked in Livorno overnight, we had two full days to explore Florence and the surrounding Tuscan countryside. It was challenging to choose our shore excursions because there were so many great options, but in the end, we selected the Fiat 500 Experience, which featured a tour of Tuscany and Florence in a classic Italian car. This also included an enjoyable lunch on a Tuscan family farm and a stroll through the medieval city of San Gimignano. These experiences transported me back to the time of the House of Medici, the family that famously funded the arts and humanities, A drive THROUGH TUSCANY Viking Ambassador‑at‑Large Jean Newman Glock explores Renaissance wonders and culinary delights in Italy. transforming Florence into the birthplace of the Renaissance. We met our guide, Frederica, and our vintage Fiat at the San Miniato al Monte, where you can enjoy sweeping views of the entire city of Florence. The sun shone on Filippo Brunelleschi's dome, giving it the prominence it demands and deserves. Once I squeezed inside the cosy car, I saw the region from a brand-new perspective, enhanced by the detailed commentary from Frederica. The church was unhappy with this, but did not want this genius too far away. Nearby is the hill where Leonardo da Vinci first tested flight, or to be specific, had a friend test it. We passed large caper plants, growing wild from the stones of Roman walls, and pine trees that produce pine nuts—a ubiquitous ingredient in Tuscan cuisine. Every turn revealed villas, many established by Victorians who moved here hoping to capture the Tuscan villa lifestyle of the Renaissance. This trend predated the influx of Americans who came here after reading the book Under the Tuscan Sun. Adding to the fun was the comradery of fellow drivers. Every car that passed us honked in praise of our beloved Italian vehicle. Our next stop was lunch on a Tuscan farm. Our host, Umberto Fenzi, welcomed us to his farm, which has been in his family for 91 years. Overlooking the valley and vineyards surrounding San Gimignano, his wife prepared a feast that could not be replicated elsewhere. We drank a delicious white wine that the poet Dante Alighieri described in the "As we ventured into the countryside, we passed the site where Galileo Galilei was 'exiled'—a mere 8km from Florence—for the heresy of saying the earth revolves around the sun."

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