Following on from our wonderful few days on Cinque Terre, we arrived in Tuscany, via a few train changes.
Siena is the home of the famous Il Palio horse race around the Piazza Del Campo. We arrived a few days before this event and unfortunately left the day before, but we got to see the piazza change gradually each day with the spectator stalls being erected.
Siena is divided into 17 neighbourhoods (contrade) and 10 of these race in the first race, which are chosen by a draw, then the last 7 plus 3 from the first race compete again. During this time there is fierce rivalry between neighbourhoods. During the racing period wall mounted lights are erected with each neighbours colours boldly being displayed. As you walk around Siena you will know which contrade you are in by the colours and patterns on the lights. These mark the territory of each neighbourhood and are proudly displayed.
Siena is a classic medieval town in the hills of Tuscany which is also quite near the famed Chianti wine area. The Duomo Di Siena is also a drawcard with its magnificent architecture.
A beautiful area that needed much more exploration than the time we had. W e did manage a couple of winery tours wich are unlike tours here in Australia. When on a winery tour in Italy it takes hours, make sure you have enough time. It is really an art moreso than a perfunctory duty. You will start in one area of the winery and will sip some wine and then you will be given some wine and cheese and maybe prosciutto to eat then taste the wine again, which made a big difference. The taste of the wine after food completely changed which was interesting. Further into the winery you will stop a couple more times and tasting and eating, possibly from a large pecorino wheel and at the last tasting you may be in the winery’s church having a dessert wine. Totally different than expected but a memorable experience nonetheless.
-
- Italian Door
-
- Italian Door
-
- Italian Door
Onwards and upwards to the Amalfi Coast next stop – bring it on!
My previous posts – Trip of a Lifetime I – Paris, Trip of a Lifetime II – Provence and Trip of a Lifetime III – Lake Como, Trip of a Lifetime IV – Venice and Trip of a Lifetime V – Cinque Terre
daysandmonths 
You’re right, it has very interesting architecture, lots to soak in. The wine tasting sounds like a day’s outing, they don’t do things by halves, do they? I’d like to experience that outing myself!
Wonderful photos by the way, a beautiful selection from the area.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Barb you’re right they don’t do things by halves that’s for sure. We thought we could fit in a couple wineries plus sightseeing but we were wrong! …..
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a great way to do wine tasting, we should make them introduce that here!
Great photos of what looks like an amazing trip.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Tusks Desley yes an amazing trip every new place. Wouldn’t that be nice to add some food and a walk around the wineries to the wine tasting to have the whole experience 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
It would be fabulous!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
oh that should have said Thanks 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL – Tusks fits with the title! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
I would love to see Siena again, I went there as part of our pilgrimage tour. Next time I’d love to do it your way to appreciate it in a different light.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Id like to go back too Bebs… to see more of the outlying country as it was taken up largely by wine tasting! There are some fabulous places to explore next time too. I hope you get to go back 🙂
LikeLike
I love Italy but have never (yet) been to Tuscany. I hope to get there some time. Your photos are lovely and the wine tasting sounds really interesting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Laura, you wont be disappointed but we should have staid a few more days I think…..
LikeLike
Beautiful! Such a stunning place…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks I agree 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
How lovely! When I went to Siena in 1993, I truly fell in love with the history, the architecture and the people. Glad you enjoyed yourself!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Nance we did and I would love to see it again, maybe next time when the race is actually on and explore further afield 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Marvelous! Just breathtaking view
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes Jasmine it was beautiful and worth the trip if ever go to Italy 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wot! No mention of Santa Caterina di Siena? Apart from that, Karen, a lovely treatment of this famous city. The duomo is really something. Your wine tour brings back very happy memories too 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sorry that was very remiss of me Ken 🙂 Glad the wine tour brought back happy memories as it did for me when I started to go through my photos.. in fact I have a desire for a nice chianti 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
So beautiful, it is a place I would love to go to one day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes Leanne you would go crazy over there + the lovely wine 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love sienna! Enjoyed your post as going back in July.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad you enjoyed it, thanks so much for stopping by and I’m a little jealous of your return journey, I hope you fall in love with it a second time around 🙂
LikeLike
Ah, you’ve made me nostalgic for past trips to that region! Must dig out some photos and have a reminisce! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Sue, grab a lovely chianti, sit back to some beautiful Italian tenors maybe and look back and hmm maybe plan to go again. It costs nothing to dream, I hope to one day too Sue 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah, but there are other places in Italy grabbing my attention at present!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gorgeous! I’ve only been to a couple of places in Italy and neither disappointed. Would so love to go back and visit more…. your trips only encourage me to do so! 🙂
Alison x
LikeLike
amazing all! what a beautiful place
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes an amazing experience and beautiful countryside 🙂
LikeLike
How amazing! Made me feel warm inside 🙂 Maybe you will find it interesting – “Two greedy iItalians” 😉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tp3BeRqi0Sk
LikeLike
Great images of this beautiful city! Live to revisited in the near future.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Amy 🙂
LikeLike
ahh Bella Toscana!! Absolutely beautiful photos Kaz!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
grazie Cybele, grazie! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person