Italy: Under the Tuscan sun.. in Siena

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September 18th 2008

Published: September 22nd 2008

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Ewa and Jill

The Villa

Our should we say mansion?

Under the Tuscan Sun just like the movie.

However, we arrived late in the afternoon and spent some quality time trying to figure out the bus system. We arrived at our Villa (well maybe it wasn't our villa... Thank you Louise) a little unsure we approached the posted the street number and looked down the overgrown, dark, gloomy, pathway to the 'villa'. Hand in hand we approached the iron gates and peaked through to the grounds. Bravely Jill randomly pushed the intercom buttons beside the gate. A moment passed, then flashing rave lights interrupted the darkness and Ewa rubbed her St Christopher and cross necklace (Thank you Sunrise Health Region). Jill looked through the gates and noticed a man approaching with a golden lab. She was instantly reassured because what kind of evil monster keeps a golden lab at his side?!?! Ewa still needed some winning over.

We followed the man into the giant mansion, where he asked us to drop our belongings at the door. No way was Jill leaving her beautiful newly acquired leather goods anywhere. He took us up the beautiful, winding marble staircase to what turned out to be the guest wing. Still not won

The Villa

Not so intimidated during the daylight.

over Ewa had us wait at the top of the stairs while he knocked on the doors. No one was home, so we did what any other rational person would do, we sat down to a good bottle of wine. In the end it all worked out, Ewa co-worker Louise returned with her family and welcomed us with open arms. We had wine, laughed about our adventures and slept like we hadn't slept in quite some time.

Refreshed we headed to the city center the next day and fell in love with Tuscany.

-The Piazza del Campo, the unique shell shaped piazza at the centre of the city,
-The Palazzo Pubblico, Siena's City Hall for almost 800 years, contains (amongst many other things) the famous frescos on good and bad government by Ambrogio Lorenzetti, and access to the Torre di Mangia, from whose top you can view a beautiful panorama of the Sienese countryside.
-The Duomo, Siena's magnificent black and white Italian Romanesque cathedral including the Libreria Piccolomini, Baptistery
-The house where St. Catherine was born is just a few blocks from the duomo. This 14th century mystic is one of the principal patron saints of Italy.

Siena

Jill beside another horse statue.

And then of course we went on a wine tour. We sampled the Brunello wines which are presently considered the best wine in the world. The tour included;
-Wine tasting at two renowned Montalcino wineries
-Guided tour of the village of Montalcino
-Visit to the Abbey of St. Antimo, renowned for its celebrated Gregorian Chants
-and tasting of bruschette and typical Tuscan cold cuts and cheese
The tour was fantastic and we expecially enjoyed learning about the study on vineyards and the effect music has on the growth of grapes.

We also met a lovely couple who was putting their relationship to the test. They had met fourteen years prior and had spent the past year in a tangled long distance affair. Prior to this trip he had proposed and told her now or never. This was the trip to decide. We exchanged emails and will keep you posted on the outcome.

The countryside was picturesque and exactly how we imagined it to be.

We have decided we are not ready to head to Venice and will be visiting the region of Cinque Terre. Stay tuned for more....

(Missing pictures from Ewa camera which will be