This is our first day around Tuscany and we really wanted to see as much as possible. We started the day with breakfast at our apartment again before getting in the car. We first went to the main square in Greve (the town where our villa is located) to look at the butchers, bakers, souvenir shops, and a cappuccino for Greg.
The main square in Greve:
The boar at the butchers:
Once done with that, we spent much more time there than we had expected to, we headed towards Siena. It was such an amazing drive through the hills and vineyards, unbelievable scenery. Once we got to Siena we immediately headed into the main area of town. We went by Il Duomo which was built in pink and white marble. It was stunning on the outside but there was quite a line to go in so we did not wait around. We then did a bit of shopping and then stopped for lunch at Taverna Il Capitano. While the food was good, the personalities were good, the service was slow. We were really ready to get a move on.
View along the way to Siena:
Siena has a snail as their emblem:
Romulus & Remus statues are very prominent in Italy:
Us at Il Duomo in Siena:
Il Duomo:
After lunch we went to Piazza del Campo and by Palazzo Publicco and Fonte Gaia. We went into more shops and took lots of pictures before getting in the car for our next destination, San Gimignano. Again, the most spectacular views along the entire drive.
Palazzo Publicco:
Birds drinking from Fonte Gaia:
Fonte Gaia:
San Gimignano was a cute little country town, it looked like entering a Medieval town, walls and all. Along the outer walls of San Gimignano you could get some amazing views of the hills and towns below. We first stopped in at Combattenti so Greg could get an espresso, and then all 3 of us enjoyed yet another wonderful gelato. The other thing San Gimignano is known for is it's towers, this small town has 14 of them. We did see all of them while walking around.
The main wall at the entrance to San Gimignano:
Me and Mindrey at the entrance to San Gimignano:
Yummy gelato:
More views down:
We walked over to Torre Grossa for some great views then to Piazza delle Cisterna. Next we continued to Rocca, which is an old fortress now in ruins that has olive and fig trees growing in it. There is a watch tower still here where you can get amazing views over the city and see most of the towers. We slowly made our way back to the car, stopping to buy some wine for dinner, pastries for breakfast, and souvenirs.
Views from Rocco down:
Climbing up Rocca:
Greg and Mindrey in front of the towers:
On the way back to our villa we stopped be Castello di Gabbiano to see if they were still doing tastings, but they were already closed. We did see a super cute dog though. We ended up having dinner at Caffe Lepanto in the Greve main square before heading back to the apartment for some wine and hanging out time.
Some unusual animals in the water, being fed by a local grocer:
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Today was going to be a bittersweet day, we had more to do and see but Mindrey would be departing from us, so we were sad about that. We began with breakfast at the apartment as always and then started our drive to Cortona. We thought we would squeeze another city in before having to take Mindrey to the train station. Along our drive we stopped in Levanella of Montevarchi to stop by the Prada outlet. There is a joke there with me and Greg. We finally found it, the store is not marked at all so you just have to know where it is, we got directions from the information center. We didn't buy anything, but still enjoyed looking.
We got back in the car and continued our drive. We finally made it to Cortona, which is an amazing hillside town in Tuscany. It looks so neat when you are driving up to the city. We walked to the main square and had lunch at a cafe in Piazza di Reppublica. Of course we then did a bit of shopping and looked at the exterior of all of the buildings. We then walked to the outer edge and saw some wonderful views of the hills and lake. The views all over Tuscany are just amazing, like nowhere else we have ever been. After a bit more walking and looking we left town to head back towards Florence.
Like the neon:
Hillside town = steps:
Looking down at a cemetary:
Mindrey, me, and Greg in Cortona:
Views from Cortona:
The main square in Cortona:
They have an escalator built into the hillside of Cortona, too funny:
When we left Cortona we were trying to get back to the road but instead took a short cut down a path straight down the side of the hill, it was kind of fun. When we got to Florence we had to navigate through the traffic and mad roundabouts, I would never recommend driving in Florence if you don't have to. It was crazy but we made it to the train station and got Mindrey on her train.
Some of the sites as we left Cortona:
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Greg and I then drove back to Greve and did a bit of grocery shopping at the co-op and then some gelato at the shop nearby. We then headed back to our apartment to cook dinner, play cards, and unwind.
Sunset from our villa:
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