Pienza remains the fairy tale version of a Renaissance Village, and the vistas of the Val D’Orcia are still incredibly beautiful. That said, on the day of our recent visit it was sadly overrun with hordes of admiring visitors, including us.

The main thoroughfare is lined with shops selling touristy trinkets and costly leather goods, handmade jewelry, and lovely Italian fashion. There seemed to be something that beconned to each of us, including scarves, handbags, and cheese.

Jennifer and Kat surprised me with a little leather pen bag, something I had been looking for since I saw one at the language school in Genoa—how thoughtful of them.

Once again I enjoyed wandering into Pius’s little cathedral, and once again wondered why the builders didn’t realize that it was perched too far out on the town’s small hilltop so that one day it might fall off—as the huge crack in front of the altar reveals, but I guess if it has lasted four centuries, it may last a few more.

At one point, six of us found ourselves perched upon a bench in the Cathedral; a perfect picture, I though. I asked a fellow tourist, who rudely pretended he couldn’t understand me, but a lovely young woman quickly obliged by snapping above shot.

The town was decorated throughout with flowers, in anticipation of an upcoming celebration—and all of the restaurants were filled with happy tourists, just like us. We returned to the Buca Delle Fatte, where we have eaten at least twice before and happily were not disappointed. Good bruschetta and great pastas, and the desserts—tiramisu, blueberry, cocoanut, and chocolate—were just incredibly delicious. We were all charmed by our young waiter, Lorenzo, who spoke American accented English, even though I insisted on using my Italian with him when I could.

The half hour lost spent dealing with the word’s worst parking ticket dispenser aside, we all left the town with fond memories and the hope of returning sometime in the not too distant future .