European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - January 19, 1989, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Florence by rail Story and photos by Norm Zeigler travel outdoor writer the room was still Chilly but the atmosphere had warmed considerably. A wave of laughter rippled through the group standing around the serving area As two children followed a cat Between the adults legs and under the table. The manager had t exactly turned Jovial but occasionally a hint of a smile flickered across his face As he refilled the glasses. In one Corner of the room a line had formed at the Purchase Racks and the employees were boxing up bottles of wine and passing them Over the counter. The Stone Walls of the Castle rang with animated conversation from All parts of the room. An hour before the group had been fairly subdued As the bus wound its Way up the narrow gravel Road. Castello Verrazzano with a warm Golden glow coming from the windows was a Welcome Haven in the Hills As dusk settled Over the empty tuscan Countryside. Our tour guide explained to us a bit of its history before we disembarked. The Castle which has existed for More than 500 years owes its name to the original owners a florentine aristocratic family. Giovanni a Verrazzano the italian navigator and explorer for whom the Verrazzano Narrows Bridge in new York was named was born at the Castle in 1485. We could see our breath in the frosty air As we climbed the Stony path to the Castle. After a too Brief tour of the wine cellars the manager led the Way to the tasting room where a spread of cheese cold cuts bread and olives waited along with the wine. Because it is in the Chianti Region the Castle s most important product is no Surprise. But this Chianti has Little relation to the harsh and sometimes bitter blood red liquid some of us have purchased in Reed wrapped bottles on the other Side of the Atlantic. Castello Verrazzano s Chianti classic is a smooth full bodied wine a pure pleasure to the taste buds. To one who has become enamoured of German White wines it provided a pleasant contrast. The winery produces several grades of Chianti As Well As a still White wine a Yumante a sparkling blend and grappa. Eventually everyone s thirst for wine seemed to be quenched and the last morsels of food disappeared. The group headed Back to the bus in the dark. The night was cold but on the bus it was warm and the mood was convivial. With the encouragement of our tour organizer Siegfried Kugies of the Deutsche Bun Desbah the German rail system several people took up the bus microphone to Tell jokes or stories. By far the Best received was air Force capt. Terry Crummett of Ramstein a West Germany a Maine native whose tall tales told with dry humor and a Down East twang got everyone laughing and helped shorten the hour Long ride Back to the City. It was a lighthearted end to another Busy Day on the German Railroad s thanksgiving tour to Florence. The trip had begun for us two Days before in Darmstadt West Germany. With the True valor or insanity of Young parents we had decided to take our two children Ages 3 and 1. About the Only undertaking logistically comparable to travelling with Little ones is the a Day invasion. This was painfully Clear to me As i ran to catch our train weighed Down 0 the ornate Bell Tower rises above the dome of the Cathedral of Santa Maria Del Fiore in Florence. Stripes Magazine january 19, 1989