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Siena
Siena is a
fascinating
city. We loved being there. A great place to walk around and enjoy the atmosphere.
I had one of my
better driving days here.
Before
we parked, we drove around Siena. Twice, in the span of about 30
minutes, I drove in an area where cars were prohibited. Both
times a policeman in his shiny car suggested that I drive only on roads
where cars were
allowed! I think in both cases it would have been ok if our car had
been a Taxi. Eventually we drove to a parking area
on a hill
overlooking Siena and well within walking distance. The first
two
pictures below were taken from that area.
We walked to the Piazza where the action was. First we looked at the narrow path around the arena where the horses race twice a year. Description: The Palio di Siena
(known locally simply as Il Palio) is a horse race held twice each year on July 2
and August
16 in Siena, Italy, in which ten horses and riders, bareback and
dressed in the appropriate colours, represent ten of the seventeen Contrade,
or city wards. The Palio held on July 2 is named Palio di Provenzano,
in honour of Madonna di Provenzano, who has a church in Siena. The
Palio held on August 16 is named Palio dell'Assunta, in honour of
Assumption of Mary.
Of course we
were not there on either race day. The attraction of the day in the arena was a group of children's bands in very colorful costumes. A picture of one band is below. We enjoyed the entertainment! Everyone there was having fun. We walked around the town enjoying to streets, interesting buildings until our bodies asked to rest. So we walked backup the hill to our car to start another phase of our journey. We left Siena and headed north to Florence. We stayed overnight in a very nice hotel at a cross road town. A picture from our hotel is below. We ate at a restaurant very near by. In all our traveling on this trip this was easily the best meal we had. It was a beautiful room and obviously a first class restaurant. We got there late for us, but not for anyone else eating there, and only wanted the main course and perhaps dessert. The waiter was not pleased that we did not order the other courses and the wine as any good patron would order. After we ate the delicious food in the great atmosphere, we tried to order dessert, both for the taste and to stay longer. The waiter was justifiably disappointed in us and would not come to our table. We got our check from a waitress, paid the bill and returned to our room. I would go back there to eat any time, it is a delightful place to eat. The next morning we headed for Florence. |
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| Siena view from above |
Siena view from above | |
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| One of the several children bands |
A view of the Piazza |
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| Another view of the Piazza |
View from the nice hotel between
Siena and Florence. This iw where we had that great meal |
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| Reviewed: 20 October 2009 |
Kay in Siena | Stained
glass inside the Douma |