Our last full day in Italy was easily my favorite. After a few days in a row of doing our own things, we were back with Nana and Pops for a day trip to Siena. The day started with a sighting of the coveted european sunflower fields. One of my favorite sites!!
After arrival in Siena we explored the fortress on the edge of town before venturing in.
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| "This view? I've seen better." |
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| Hilly town! |
One of Pete's high school friends studied abroad in Siena and gave us some tips for visiting the town. He also alerted us to the Palio, which was taking place a few days after our visit. This is the biannual bareback horserace through the town square. The racing field was set up. Dirt was pounded over the cobblestone and padded mattresses lined the buildings. It is a very small course with super sharp turns. While we didn't get to see the main event, the city was in festival mode and a few of the competing provinces held events. We saw the Onda (wave) team process through town, waving their banners. I would have been more impressed with their drumming had it not woken Jude up from his nap!
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| Palio field as the town square promenade |
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| Flag raisers |
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| When Pete busts out his camera (iphone), you know it must be good! |
Pops, Pete and I climbed to the top of the Tower of Mangia. Awesome, awesome views from up there!
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| Up, up and away! |
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| Palio depiction on a wall |
Siena's Duomo was my favorite of all of the cathedrals in Italy. The facade was gorgeous as was the interior. I loved the starry ceiling and painted dome. Pete thought that it had a little too much going on, but I enjoyed it!
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| Jude enjoying a granita. La Dolce Vita! |
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| Pops and Nana climbed part of the Duomo and got a cool shot of the Tower that we climbed. |
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| More sunflowers and wheat fields on the drive home. |
We returned home with enough time to enjoy a final dip in the pool before our very
memorable farewell dinner at Il Grande Prato! Bellissimo!
Oh, and we stopped at the leaning tower of Pisa on our way to the airport the next day. It wasn't on my to-do list, but seemed a shame not to see anyway. After a hike in the heat, we saw it and quickly moved on. I wish I'd know we would see it from the air on our flight out of town! Would have saved us the trip!
