Siena

We took it a little slower today, have some busy days in the near future. After sleeping in a little we walked around the Piazza del Campo a little more then toured the Duomo di Siena, a medieval church that has parts stared in the 13th century. Quite the riot for the eyes, the pictures will tell you all. I took some reduced sized photos for the blog but even most of those came in too big to upload due to the details.

A rest again and dinner at one of the best restaurant on any trip to Siena and Italy, Osteria La Taverna di San Giuseppe. Great food when we dined here in 2008 and just as great in 2013. This time we had Sydney making it that much better who said the food made her want to dance. A good sign.

While on the subject of hat tips, a nod to the staff of the Grand Hotel Continental in Siena. Their service is still world class, on top of everything.

They have crazy horse race here twice a year, the Palio di Siena. We are here between the two race dates, July 2nd and August 16th. From talking to the locals the place goes absolutely nuts. May have to attend some day…

Stong vibe again on Saturday night. Saw several weddings today as well. Sydney again commented how much she hated to leave, hope we are planting some good seeds for her future.

Siena’s Piazza del Campo

Sydney in Siena’s Piazza del Campo

Inside the Duomo di Siena

Looking up in the Duomo di Siena

The view across Siena

Once again time to move on. Viareggio was a short stop, our true destination for this part of the trip was Pisa. Not finding a hotel we liked in Pisa we expanded the stay area a little and ended up in Viareggio. All were unhappy to go, a sign of a good night.

The Tower of Pisa was one of Syd’s requests own this trip and unlike in the past we went to the top this time. An odd walk, your balance had to shift depending on where you were on the stairs.

After Pisa it was off to our next destination, Siena. As usual the Garmin Navigation unit gave us multiple ways from Pisa to Siena, we selected the shortest and we had to wonder what it was thinking… Did not seem the shortest, certainly the most adventurous thru the Tuscan countryside!

Siena reminded us why we like it and it is even better on a warm Friday night, the vibe in Piazza del Campo about drove Sydney out of her curly headed skull. Lots of energy, people were launching paper hot air balloons, very elegant and exciting for all to see. Codes in the USA would never allow that to happen!