April 8 Villages and towns in Tuscany

Another cloudy day with 30% chance of rain. A little cool starting at 4 degrees at 7:30. We have a little trouble with the gas element on the stove so thank god the owner leaves nearby. I walk over and tell her an element won’t turn off. She has not yet showered, but she’ll be over shortly. 15 min later she arrives and has to turn the gaz off completely. She says that she will get it fixed. We leave around 8:30. We pick up a croissant at the pasterrecia near here then we are off. First stop is Buenconvento. It’s a little walled village so we walk around and take a few shots. We also the first of many pilgrims hiking with pack and walking sticks. They are walking on the Francigena trail that starts in norther Italy somewhere and ends in Rome.

Small car but Ron is quite comfortable. It is a standard as well. We were thankful to have this little gem when buses, trucks, and all other vehicles are driving way too fast on very windy roads. Great for parking in tight spots as well.

                                                               Buonconvento

Lots of these archways in the walled area of the old village

Pretty cool outside of a restaurant. (Empty-too bad)

Ron wanted to show the gigantic doors.

Really liked these doors. 

Out second village was Montalcino. It is up on a hillside, likea lot of villages in Tuscany. By the way every 2-3 minutes, my phone hooks onto a porn site. Such a pain. Our gps doesn’t falter, thank god. Montalcino is well known for it’ Brunelleschi wines, expensive wines. We go into a taste shop (enoteca) and are told that we can buy a 50 Euro card and go to the different tastin places until the card runs out. Don’t think so. Would be too drunk to walk let alone drive. 

Way up there is Montalcino.

Typical streets

Unreal what these people climb and descend on a daily basis. 

View from the side of the wall.

Next stop is Abbadia Sant’Antimo. It basically is  one church.it is former Benedictine monastery from around the 700. It’s one of most beautiful churches in Romanesque style still standing. 

The church 

A remaining fresco inside the church.

We continue on to Bagno Vignoni. It has hot baths. Most are found in hotels and spas but one remains  in open in the village. Ron was pretty disappointed when we got there. He had brought his bathing and a towel in case it was open to the public.

Bath 

Looks like partial ballerinas in the pool. We couldn’t even touch the water to feel how warm it was. Ron read that it was 49 degrees. 

Off to Pienza. This place is famous for its Vitaleta chapel. It is said to be the queen of Val d’Orcia. (Name of the region)

Scenery along the way to Pienza 

This is what you saw in every direction

We arrived in Pienza around 1:30. Our little croissant was gone by now so lunch was in order. We stopped at the first restaurant we saw right after parking. And by the way, parking was free and we were just across the street. I knew what I wanted when I checked the menu from outside. Ron had a more difficult decision.

I have been wanting to try this since we arrived in Tuscany. It is Ribolitta, a Tuscan soup. Ingredients vary but the base is pinto beans, cabbage, kale, or Swiss chard, a mix of veggies,, tomatoes, and soaked in day old bread. It was good and warmed me up. Ron wasn’t sure what he was getting even after he ordered it. It was a big slice of bread topped with salamis and cheese then baked in the oven. He liked it. We each had a glass of red to wash it down. 

In the church. Ron wanted me to be absolved of my sins. 

Streets in Pienza. Really pretty town.

One of two churches in Pienza 

Such large doors. 

Inside the church. Thought that it was a very creative way to show Jesus on the cross. It hangs there. 

The Cathedral with The hanging Jesus on the cross. 

It’ time to leave and drive to our last town of the day. It is Montepulciano. It’s another good climb, by car to get there. What views,  We’ve been lucky as there have been tourists, but really not bad at all. Roads are quiet until the car behind us is zooming by on a blinding curve. Ron was a little stressed by the time we got back.

The first place we see is a winery. There are free tours and free tasting. I mockingly said, “what’s the catch, nothing is free”. They laughed. In we went. The photos are part of the tour of this  underground city. Very cool.

Even had old statues all over the place

This is where the barrels were kept. I can’t imagine working in that cool, humid envirnment every day. The wine is good. We get 3 tastings with bruschetta, salami, bread with olive oil. It was a good selling job, but we said thanks and walked away. 

We continued our walk through town. 

Love the stairs. 

This was on top of a building. 

 

Views from the top of the city.

It’s time for our drive home. It is just past 4:30 and it’s about an hour’s drive. We will probably be in traffic as we get closer to Siena. Also, there is limited parking we’re we are staying so with any luck, there will still be a spot for us. We get back after 5:30 and our prayers have been answered. A spot 2 minutes from our condo. We go in and rest and I blog for a while then it’s time to walk into the walled city of Siena with my camera this time. 

A refuge 

La Porta Romana. This is our entry into the walled city. There are other entries like this one. It is a 3 minute walk from our Airbnb. 

The terrace where we are staying. 

Torre del Mangia, the city tower

The Cathedral, Duomo, Crypt

One of many climbs in our days.

Piazza del Campo, the heart of the city 

Tower and City Hall 

Porta Pomona 

We stopped to buys groceries while out and decided we would stay in tonight. Fresh pasta, sauce, and cheese, oh and of course a glass of wine. It is 8:45 or so by the time we finish eating. We realize that we have no Internet. After about 30 minutes or so, I remember that our hostess said that we had to plug in the control for the wifi. It needs recharging.  The walls of this place are so thick that they cannot get regular wifi. 

I succeeded in chatting with my mom around 10:30 our time via Facebook. Then bedtime.