Apr 9, 2012 - Radda in Chianti...just outside of Siena

Today we did not realize it was an Italian holiday, and drove an hour to Siena to get groceries, etc...everything was closed! We found an outdoor market in a lovely town called Gaiole ! It was rated by Forbes as the number one place to live in Europe!!! Walked around the city, looked at all the ceramics then...headed back to the villa! After regrouping we decided to do some hiking in the area, went to the Broli castle (Recosoli family), went thru a small little village called Vertine ( we are going back there)...and then headed home to make...

Apr 4, 2012 - Siena

I just had one day here, using it as a spot mainly to pick up a car for exploring Tuscany. I arrived yesterday morning afer a very early flight from Palermo (note to self: avoid these early flights, even if they are cheap). I flew to Bologna, where I took a train to Florence, then bus to Siena. I was pretty beat, so I didn't do much, just walked around a bit, had dinner and went to bed early. I picked up a car this morning and drove to Volterra, but decided to make a stop along the way at an agriturismo just outside of Siena. It's been in...

Apr 1, 2012 - Day trip to Siena

On March 8th Meggo's friend Kas came to Italy to visit. As midterms were the following week, we decided that going away for the whole weekend may be inconvenient, so we took a day trip with her instead. Meggo's other friend, Katie, is studying in Siena so we decided to go there and visit her. So on Saturday, March 10th Meggo, Kas, Riley, and I took a train to Siena and met Katie at the bus station. We shortly found out that Siena is all Italian, no English! Our bus driver kept talking to me in Italian when I was trying to figure out which...

Mar 19, 2012 - Car tour of Tuscany

Ciao! Today we are in the car driving around Tuscany. Thank goodness neither of us are driving. Despite John thinking it would be so much fun to drive around Italy, cooler heads prevailed and Antonio is driving. Our first stop was Siena, a lovely little city with a great duomo and palazzo. We climbed up to the top of a building near the duomo and it had the most spectacular views. Lots o photos from there. Then we went into the Duomo and it was beautiful. I rated it second after San Marco...better than Florence and way better than St....

Jan 15, 2012 - Harem in Tuscany

Lovely Sunday in Siena. Checked out the town today, thoroughly enjoyed a walk with my new friends Tom and Christi from Oregon. Off to Venice tomorrow, with a quick tour of Florence during the day. Italy has exceeded my expectations and part of me doesn't want to go. But considering how much of Europe is ahead of me, it would be foolish to dawdle. Oh, and just began The Hunger Games trilogy.

Jan 14, 2012 - Now that's pizza!

Hey y'all, It's official...I've found the home of pizza. Two giant slices of the best pizza of my life (aside from Mom's) for 3 euros! That in an effort to get change for a second wash of my clothes, dried them with the bag of detergent...not my sharpest moment. Absolutely love this part of Italy and can't wait to see the city tomorrow. Finished Omnivore's today. This has me seriously considering a life of pastoral farming. Problem is, I have no idea where or how to start. Anyone who has similar desires, or advice regarding, please send me...

Sep 18, 2011 - Orvieto - drive to Siena

Driving in Italy is an 'interesting'thing to do! Once my brain switched from left to right side of the road it wasn't too bad in fact dodging the other tourists who hadn't quite made the switch was the hardest part.Italians love to drive very close to the middle, if you call 1 metre on my side close to the middle, also because of the often narrow paths the pedestrians everywhere in the cities also like to walk on the road causing me to go 1 metre on the other side of 'close to the middle'- the trick is to drive slooowly and have a good...

Jul 31, 2011 - A Day trip to Siena and the Brolio Castle

Got a rental car today and we were off to Siena. We had planned a side trip to the Brolio Castle just northeast of Siena and is the oldest wine producer in Chianti. We walked the grounds and the exterior of the castle since the castle itself is occupied by the Brolio family. The climbed up the long cobble-stoned walkway to castle and looked out as far as we could see to the rolling hills of rows of grape vineyards and olive trees. Such a beautiful site.

Jul 17, 2011 - Strolling in Siena

On Saturday Olivia, Tracy, and I went to Siena for a day trip! We took a bus from Florence that is about an hour ride through pretty Tuscan scenery. When we arrived, we started walking through the streets, following signs to the Duomo (cathedral). The buildings look a lot more Medieval and the town is quieter. Still, there were lots of tourists, as seems usual throughout Italy. The main cathedral was beautiful. It was built in the Gothic style, so there were high pillars, pointed arches, and lots of decoration both inside and out. The...

Jun 27, 2011 - Siena

June 27 This morning we are off for Florence with a stop and tour of Siena on the way.  The bus trip through the Tuscan countryside was lovely.  Fields of sunflowers and wonderful old hill towns with their ancient walls on top of many of the hills.   Siena is a wonderful medieval town, and as Rick Steves says, "seems to be every Italy connoisseur's favorite pet town."  The main square, Il Campo has as its center the city hall and its 330 ft tower.  The piazza is ringed by restaurants, and when we were there they...

May 11, 2011 - Tuscany

Yesterday we went to Voltera and San Giminigiano. They each had such character and beauty. Again we spent the day driving the back country. Getting lost in the beauty and of course getting lost. We had dinner with a million dollar view. Which you will see. Today it was Florence. It was a very busy place. The weather is warm, the people are a plenty and the gelato is wonderful. I want you all to know that I am personally testing every gelato place we pass... I know that I am adding pounds, but no sacrifice is too great. In San Gimingiano we...

May 9, 2011 - Siena

Tuesday and we are still in heaven. Spent yesterday wandering through Siena. Eating pannini at Il Campo visiting the Duomo and wandering through the ancient city. Very different from my last trip. Lots of cars and bus' in the city, one must be alert and agile to survive. We are going to the hill towns today and will write when we return. Nadie is serving breakfast and it smells wonderful. We drove to Pienza today and stopped to see two different Abbey's (Abezzio) The contrast between the two is incredible. One ornate, one stark. The first...