This morning we again leave the marina in Livorno and drive inland into Tuscan countrysideA very lifelike scarecrow !!Our first stop is up to a small hilltop village called MontefoscoliThis is a small typical hilltop village east of LivornoBreathtaking views over the Tuscan countryside
In the distance we can see San Gimignano, our next stopWe arrive in San Gimignano and park the car in one of the very busy car parking areas just below the popular tourist townChiesa di Sant’AgostinoToday seems to be a very busy day in San GimignanoWe stop for a light lunch in a delightful little place called Olivieri BistrotRic checks out a local wine shopSan Gimignano is an ancient walled hilltop town which is easily recognisable from the distance by a number of very tall square towersDuring the 14th Century there were around 72 towers in San GimignanoToday a total of only 13 towers still remain in the townThe well in Piazza della CisternaA well shaded restaurant can be found in each of the lovely piazzas in the town
After spending a couple of hours in San Gimignano we continue on towards SienaDeciding to drive through the smaller roads in Tuscany today we were rewarded with seeing the most exquisite sceneryThe familiar hilltop 13th century medieval town of Monteriggioni, with it’s unmistakable circular walls comes into viewWe decide to make a quick visit to the small town once again after being here 13 years agoNot a lot has changed in the town over the years however there were a couple of new wine shops which Ric took advantage of and bought several bottles of quality locally made red wineThe main piazza, the Piazza Roma, is dominated by a Romanesque church with a simple, plain façadeFinally we arrive in the town of Siena after weaving our way through the magic countrysideWe manage to find a parking spot for the car by the old city walls in the very busy townThe Gothic style urban palace of Siena is the Palazzo SalimbeniOn our way to Piazza del Campo we call into a few shops on the way for some retail therapyA very nice deli in town tooWalking down the steps to Piazza del Campo, opposite the amazing town hall with it’s very tall tower glowing in the late afternoon sun, was quite an amazing sightOn arrival in the Piazza del Campo we were very fortunate to get a front row table at Bar il Palio to have a cool drink while overlooking the amazing piazzaThe Piazza del Campo is also famous for the Palio di Siena which is a horse race run twice a year (2nd July and 16th August) around the famous fan shaped squareThe Gothic style Palazzo Pubblico (town hall), an actual palace with it’s building commencing in 1297, is the dominant focal point in the Piazza del CampoThe towering 88 metre high Torre del Mangia with it’s marble loggia was built between 1338-1348In a nearby square, which is a popular meeting point for some of the local gentlemen, there is a statue of a She wolf on a tall column which has become a symbol of the townWe were tempted to stay and have dinner in one of the delightful little restaurants in Siena however being so late and still having a long drive back to Livorno we thought we better start our journey backWith a bit of retail therapy out of the way in Siena, we head for the car
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