Seeing Red

Daytrip to Siena today. My optometrist told me, "Bonnie, you have to go to Siena" so I did! Took the train there. There's also a good bus service that takes you right into town. From the train station we had to take a local bus into the town centre. I would recommend the bus if you go. We took the bus back and saw some really gorgeous Tuscan countryside in the sunset.

Yes, I was talking about Siena. It's a very quaint (and hilly!) medieval town. Their Duomo is really spectacular, even better than the one in Florence I must say for all that it's a smaller town. Once upon a time it was a big city that competed with Florence, but somehow lost that battle. We bought a Cumulativo ticket that includes entrance to the Baptistry, Crypt, and Museum too. Awesome view of the red-shingled rooftops from the top of the museum. It's such a picturesque region. When I think of Italy, I think of Tuscany. I love the terraced vineyards, and the green rolling hills. It would be nice to relax in a Tuscan villa and go wine-tasting in Chianti, but there's definitely too much to do and see here than we can accomplish in four measly days. Gonna have to come back - and with bug spray!

Gorgeous Tuscan countryside...

Exhausting day, because of the heat. And this is September! I can't imagine the summers here. But we also had to climb some pretty steep hilly streets, all made from uneven cobblestones. Whew! I'm going to bed early tonight, after another little cup of gelato for dessert of course!