Travels with Craig and Jeri: Corsica/Tuscany Day 18

Day 18: Last Ride, Goodbye to the crew, and arrival in Florence

One last ride this morning with a few more Tuscan hills. The half way point was an overlook of Lago Trasimeno, the site of an important battle in the Punic Wars (think back to your Ancient History class). The Battle of Lake Trasimeno (21 June 217 BC) was a major battle in the Second Punic War. The Carthaginians under Hannibal defeated the Romans under the consul Gaius Flaminius. Hannibal's victory over the Roman army at Lago Trasimeno remains, in terms of the number of men involved, the largest ambush in military history. The Romans were camped on the banks of the lake and in the early morning hours after Hannibal feigned an incursion in another area, the Carthaginian cavalry and infantry swept down from their concealed positions in the surrounding hills, blocked the road and engaged the unsuspecting Romans from three sides. Surprised and outmaneuvered, the Romans were forced to fight a losing close quarter battle. Standing there in the quiet of the morning, you could almost imagine the sound of swords on armor.

Back at the hotel, after showering and final packing, we said our goodbyes to Rob, Carlos, Heidi, and our host and owner at La Corte dei Papi, David, and boarded our bus to Florence. Some of our group was spending a couple of days in Florence including Liz and Winn and Joe and Lisa, and we made plans to have dinner over the next two nights. Our hotel, the Grand Minerva, was located around the corner from the main train station in Florence directly adjacent to the Basilica di Santa Maria Novella in Piazza Santa Maria Novella with an all important Gelatoria only steps away.

Our Guides,
Rob, Hiedi, and Carlos

David, owner of La Corte dei Papi, and Jeri

Some of our group was spending a couple of days in Florence including Liz and Winn and Joe and Lisa, and we made plans to have dinner over the next two nights. Our hotel, the Grand Minerva, was located around the corner from the main train station in Florence directly adjacent to the Basilica di Santa Maria Novella in Piazza Santa Maria Novella with an all important Gelatoria only steps away.