Without a doubt, climbing all 294 crooked and deeply worn stairs to the top of the infamous ‘Leaning Tower of Pisa’ was just the beginning of my adventure into the beautiful Tuscany region of Italy a few weeks ago. It all started in Pisa as I walked through the gate of Santa Maria that opens into the mysterious Piazza dei Miracole (Square of Miracles) where historical monuments and buildings – including the tower – can be found that span over 3 centuries (11th-13th AD). From there, I went to Viarregio and wined and dined with my old musician friend Andrea before he played a gig with some rather bombastic Italian rock-n-rollers. Even the house table wine in Viarregio was amazing and it was even more assuring to find out that they celebrate Mardi Gras there also. I eventually stayed the night in Luca in a cozy little chateau overlooking the vineyards where I woke up to roosters crowing and the smell of a hearty home-cooked Italian lunch compliments of Andrea’s mother. It’s definitely times like these that make life on the road a little more enjoyable! If only it could always be this good…