"Under the Tuscan Sun"

This post is named after the movie we will hopefully soon watch and the weekend trip our CUA Arts and Sciences Rome Program took to the beautiful Tuscan Region of Italy (Orvieto, Sienna, & San Gimignano). Tuscany lends itself to peace and relaxation because of its calm little streets and quaint shops. We saw beautiful views, went for a wine tasting, ate excellent food, saw lovely churches, pet goats, and celebrated Carnivale! Here are some pics to commemorate our relaxing weekend in the Italian sunlight.

Sarah and I in the midst of Carnivale in San Gimignano! Carnivale is a Pre-lenten celebration season celebrated in Italy with costumes, masks, confetti, balloons, floats, parades, and music. We saw the cutest children in costume and confetti covered everything! 

This may have been the most stunning view all weekend.
A 360 view atop a castle tower over the Tuscan countryside. So beautiful! 

This is a Despicable Me float for the Carnivale Parade 

The Wine Cellar! 1000s of bottles each barrel! 

We went to a wine tasting! First we went downstairs to the Wine cellar. So many bottles

Victoria and I sit down for our sophisticated wine tasting and appertivo

These are 3 of the 4 wines we tasted. The house specialty wine were the 2 Chianti Red Wines made with 100% Sangiovese grapes! We also learned about wine drinking etiquette, how to hold a glass, and how wine is made. 

A morning view of the Cathedral of Sienna, the Duomo. 

The Home Parish of St. Catherine of Sienna. We were privileged to go to morning mass here. We were unable to take photos but we also went to mass and took a tour of St. Catherine of Sienna's house. There we saw the cross in front of which Catherine often prayed and spoke to Christ. 

Sunset view of Beautiful Sienna. 

Overlook over the hill town, Orvieto.

The Crucifix that spoke to St. Thomas Aquinas and said "You have spoken well of me Thomas." We didn't know this was what we were looking at until we read a tiny paper note on the wall. Incredible!

Me celebrating Carnivale with confetti!