Day 6 - Tuscany - San Gimignano

 

Tuscany was like a trip to the country.  There was a distinguishable pace from that of Florence.  Even in September the hillsides were green with vineyards although the sunflower crops had faded.  This picture was taken in an olive vineyard with San Gimignano in the background. Legend states that the city dates back to 63 BC.

 

The city is surrounded by walls that are covered with capers.

 

Towers in Tuscany meant power and 13 of the 72 towers from the 14th century remain. 

Some have been cut to size because the residents were afraid they might collapse. 

Today 8,000 residents remain and the city hosts more tourists.

 

 

We stopped in one of the pastry stores and

 bought pine nut almond (pignoli) cookies. Very tasty!

 

And as a habit by now, we stopped for gelato at Gelateria di Piazza. 

Claudia told us the best gelato in Italy was here in San Gimignano,

a claim made by many regions, however, she claims the gelato from this shop

 was served to Michelle Obama during her visit to Europe. 

I tried the Crèma di Santa Fina, (An orange cream flavoured with BOURBON vanilla pods (Madagascar), San Gimignano SAFFRON pistils and Pisa PINE NUTS.) Yummy!

 

It was market day the day of our visit, and the piazza was filled with vendors

selling fabric table cloths, purses and clothes, kitchen items, plants, meats, fish and vegetables. 

It was a mix of souvenirs and household products for the residents.

  I bought my mom a table cloth that was made, ironically,

in Russia and of course, one for me, made in Italy. 

 

 

 

 

I didn't try the roasted pig, although it appeared to be

popular.  I just couldn't get past him staring at me.

 

 

We climbed to an elevated part of the town for a beautiful view.  As we climbed

we were serenaded by a harpist and a fellow playing an interested reed instrument.  A very beautiful view and this was just the start of our first day in Tuscany. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We didn't have time to go to Monteriggioni, we had a wine tour to get to.

Maybe next trip!

 

Day 5 - Siena

One of our most anticipated days was our trip to Siena to meet author, Dario Castagno and tour Siena.  We read several of Dario's books and Paul was able to contact him and arrange a very special tour of the Nobil Contrada del Bruco (The Caterpillar).  Dario explained how the city is divided into 17 neighborhoods that are represented by various coat of arms and colors.  He explained how every contrada has its own church, community hall, small museum, and its own well.  More Photos Inside the Contrada



The leadership of the contrada of about 40 representatives are elected and oversee social and youth activities, care of the elderly festival participation but most importantly the duties of preparation for the Palio, a historic (beginning in 1238) horse race held twice a year in the Piazza del Campo.  While a lot of money is spent by each contrada on the Palio the only prize is a painted flag. The contrada proudly displays its spoils dating back centuries in their museums.  

These garments are very heavy!

Baptismal Font for Nobil Contrada del Bruco

   

Piazza del Campo

           

A Really Old Wine Cellar!

Duomo di Siena



Day 4 - Florence

From Feltre we took the train to Firenze (Florence). 

.

Market on the street

Cosimo I

When we arrived in Florence we had just enough time to throw our luggage in the rooms and freshen up.  We met our tour guide, Corin, and headed to the Galleria del'Accademia. Michelangelo's orginal David is located here now with a number of his other works.  A copy of the David statue is located in a public square, outside the Palazzo della Signoria, the seat of civic government in Florence, where it was originally unveiled in 1504.

Michelangelo's orginal David is located here now with a number
 of his other works. 

 ,
 
 A copy of the David statue is located
 in a public square,
outside the Palazzo della Signoriathe seat of civic government in Florence, where it was originally unveiled in 1504



Corrin en"lightening" us on
history & how urine was used for
lightening your hair & to get
a secondary high from someone else!

Michelangelo's Doni Tondo

 We toured the Galleria degli Uffizi, which was commissioned in 1560 by Cosimo I of the Medici family to be a suite of offices for the magistrate's administration.  It now belongs to the city and contains masterworks of paintings and sculptures dating from the middle ages.

Botticelli's Birth of Venus

Rosso Fiorentino's Madonna and Child with Saint

I have a print of this painting, Musical Angel, that has been in my house for years.
I was a little disturbed by Rosso Fiorentino's work which may
have been his attempts to make a statement for his day.

 We were pretty exhausted after our tour -

there were so many famous works in one place - it was overwhelming. 



Duomo S. Maria del Fiore, construction started in 1296 under Arnolfo di Cambio.  The Campanile construction began in 1334 under Giotto di Bondone and was finished under Andrea Pisano and Francesco Talenti.

 

We were ready for dinner!  Kenny tried a steak with roasted vegetables and I had gnocchi.  We enjoyed a Chianti Classico Castello d'Abola and 2011 Chianti Classico Banfi.

I'm pretty sure these pictures were taken just before we got lost on

our way back to Hotel Porta Faenze.  Florence has an active nightlife,

it actually seems busier at night than in the daytime.