Tuscan Hill Towns Day 8
Tuscan Hill Towns
DAY 08 - May 12, 2005 - Explore Siena
We woke this morning to beautiful Colorado blue skies and lots of sunshine. It was less humid today so we were able to get great views and photographs of the surrounding hills.
We were early for breakfast so we walked around the hotel grounds taking a few photos of the early morning sun and shadows. We had breakfast then made sure we were all checked out of the villa. After breakfast we still had 30 minutes to walk up the hill and explore the neighborhood overlooks.
At 9:30 we got into the bus and headed southwest to Siena were we were able to spend the whole day on our own. Siena is a small city wandering along three distinct ridgelines that meet to form a Y, Siena is without a doubt one of the most graceful cities in Italy. There are many narrow medieval streets which suddenly open up to a sweeping views of other parts of the city and of the surrounding countryside.
We stayed together for a restroom stop and then visited the Basilica of San Dominica where we saw the relics of St. Catherine of Siena, the patron saint of Italy. She was a martyr who was beheaded and her actual head and one of her fingers are still on display within the church. We walked up the steep grade close to the city center and Giulia gave us strict orders to be back at 3:30 on the dot under penalty of buying drinks for the whole group. As soon as we could we broke away from the crowds on the main small streets and found our way through the old cobblestone alleys and passageways.
As we followed the winding streets exploring the palazzos, piazzas, art collections, museums and churches scattered throughout Siena's accessible old town we saw and heard many nationalities with their tour groups and student field trips. Many of Siena's streets are paved with cobblestones, and the city has plenty of ups and downs because it has been built on five hills. It was a particularly delightful place to explore because around every corner there is a different sight, smell, or sound.
We found an internet center with a good connection for only 1 Euro for 15 minutes. I was able to upload the Journal and pictures, check my mail, and clean up all of my accounts. Gennie was on a separate computer so she finished her work for the University and turned in her mid-week attendance.
We walked through the town almost alone on the back streets so we had great opportunities for photos of the architecture and the local people. We found our way to the Piazza del Campo, Italy's finest medieval square. Every year, as it has since the Middle Ages, a wild horse race called Il Palio takes place at this piazza. Each rider competes under the banner of his local district of Siena for the honor and glory of winning this wild race, similar to the running of the bulls in that there are only a few rules and one is to keep your opponent from getting ahead.
At 12:30 we found Ristorante Spadaforte where we enjoyed a salad and pizza while we sat by a window seeing all the people in the Piazza. The service was super, the meal was fantastic and the restrooms was clean - what more could we ask for on this beautiful sunny day?
After lunch we walked around the Piazza and took photographs winding our way up the steps to the Baptistery to the unfinished chapel, and then Duomo square itself. The place was packed with groups of students, tours, and they were all enjoying this city. Right in front of the Duomo we watched some men getting ready for a movie shot by building a hugged bonfire where tonight they will film a scene burning someone at the stake during medieval times.
We spent the rest of our allotted time avoiding the crowds and purposely getting lost in the back streets and alleys of Siena. We made our way back to our meeting place and everyone was on time. We walked to the bus and headed out of town at 4 PM. After an hour on the road we entered the small village of Pienza where we will stay for the next three nights. This community is very famous for movie sets, the latest being, The Pianist, part of the Gladiator, and Tea with Mussolini. Pienza is a medieval town renovated in the Renaissance by Pope Pius II. We arrived at our hotel at 5 and were greeted by our host with snacks and a welcome drink of fruit or sparkling wine. We ate little knowing we were going to dinner at 7 PM.
There was an opportunity to send laundry out so Gennie got it ready and took it to the desk. I worked on pictures and then took my computer to the lobby so our new friends could view segments of our past OAT trips. At 7:30 we walked to our restaurant and had another 5 course meal with all the wine and water. The meal included cheeses, ravioli that was so tender it melted in our mouth, and rabbit and guinea hens for the main course. By 10:30 we were feeling the effects of a long day hiking the hills of Tuscany and we said goodnight to walk back to the hotel.
Accommodations: Piccolo Hotel Meals: B, D
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