Since I've been so delinquent at writing up my vacation posts, we're far enough into the future now that Italy seems like months ago, & I can't be certain if these pictures are actually from Day 7 or not. Please, bear with me. So.. at some point within our week, the Mooring ladies & I made our way to Siena, my favorite of all the Italian cities we visited.
The city-proper encircles a giant piazza called the Campo, where twice per year the whole town gathers in the center to watch the Palio di Siena, a bareback horse race between representatives from each of the town's ten Contrade (wards).
Represent.
One shouldn't visit Siena without seeing its iconic cathedral, the Duomo di Siena. Situated amongst a borough of earth-tones, the alternating white & black(ish) marble makes for a striking facade.
I took quite a few pictures of the outside. There's so much detail per square-foot, it's entrancing.
I really enjoyed the little vignettes sculpted into one of the cathedral's bronze doors.
We also came across one or two new & curious hitching-loops
Ecce gelato.
From Siena, we undertook the short drive to another scenic destination town called San Gimignano. Known for its skyline, San Gimignano boasts some 14 well-preserved stone towers, which make for quite a view in the distance when approaching the city.
Like every other town in Tuscany, San Gimignano has its fair share of gorgeous lookouts.
More urban architecture.
Family foto.
Mmm... salumi.
Pizzicheria?
They must've known I was coming. Dunno what that 'san' business is about, though.
From San Gimignano, we took the scenic route home via Montepulciano. En route, our drive took us through the Crete Senesi, a clay desert of sorts without frequent craterish outcroppings. It was quite a sight.
No hunting, ya heard?
Abbazia di Monte Oliveto Maggiore, as seen from the highway.
By the time we reached Montepulciano that day, most of the daylight had gone, so I had a tough time getting any crisp photographs. Luckily, we had the chance to return later in the week, so there'll be more pictures of that later.
I did, however, have enough room left on my memory card to video-document some local athletes training for a traditional wine-barrel-rolling competition called the Bravio delle Botti. Feast your eyes.
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