Siena and San Gimignano

Mon, Feb 22 (happy 18th birthday Kelly!!)

After having a simple breakfast of capuccino, croissants and bread, it was off for our full day tour.  The bus first took us to Siena a medieval villiage dating back to the 1300s. The tour guide was very animated and taught us so much about the history and art of that time.  We stopped for lunch in an underground restaurant that once served as food and wine storage in the 1300s. It was like eating in a cave and we enjoyed a traditional meal of Chianti wine (the regional specialty), breads and prosciutto, Ribolito soup, pasta and cheese.  The are was breathtaking as were the cathedrals and sculptures. 

Next, it was on the bus for the hour ride to San Gimignano This Tuscan region was blanketed by fields of Chianti vinyards, olive trees and saffron fields.  The village itself was so medieval with breathtaking streets and clothes hung out on lines.  Here we ate Gelatto and purchases some Italian pottery and Chianti to go. At 4 euro a bottle, who could resist buying two.

We now sit in our room sharing the wine we purchased as we eat prosciutto and olive bread (afterall, we must find some way to amuse ourselves since the restaurants don't open until 7).
We hear that the snow is falling back home and we are grateful for the somewhat mild temperatures, comparatively speaking.