Relaxing
walkin' to breakfast |
After another lazy couple hours it was time to find some euros and before we knew it was past 2pm and the troops were hungry for some true Italian pizza. This was more difficult than we imagined since it was Sunday and many places were closed – but finally we discovered a place and it seemed quite authentic as it was hosting a large birthday party for an older man and his extended family.
Next we thought it would be nice to find a pool and thanks to our car with GPS we got there quickly and easily. The kids had a blast running, jumping, and swimming to their hearts delight. At the end Matthew and I teamed up for a World Cup soccer match between us – the Americans and them – the Italians. No doubt who won!
Our final goal for the day was to find Internet access and GPS came through again and directed us right to an Internet cafĂ© where, while mom and dad got some business taken care of, Matthew cheered on with the Italians the Dutch win over Mexico – I guess Europeans stick together.
Florence
writin' his Italy tour book |
After quickly finding parking we hopped on-board one of those double-decker style tour buses for a overview of the city.
About an hour later we got dropped off in the city center and wandered in and out of piazzas ohhing and ahhing over the medieval buildings, palaces, churches and the such. We weren't really into any museums but we did venture up 463 steps to the top of the famous Duomo in the center of town.
The kids did real well climbing, so kudos to them. Delicious cones of gelato were a well earned treat afterwards! Next we spent some time admiring the Renaissance and Roman sculptures in Piazza della Signoria’s Loggia dei Lanzi. The size, dimensions, and realism are quite awe-inspiring.
After a quick jaunt across the famous bridge Ponte Vecchio we enjoyed a satisfying dinner at a comfortable trattoria in Piazza Santo Spirto.
Just one note on the awesomeness of GPS. We lucked out in that our rental car came with it installed and what a blessing – I can’t imagine getting into and out of these cities and villages and finding some of the attractions we have visited without it. It has saved us hours of aimless driving and confusion. As someone who loves to find his own way with just an old-fashioned map I was a tough convert but now I’m sold!
Siena
Twice a year there is a well-known festival in Siena called Palio, whereby the different neighborhoods compete via a horse race and pageantry.
Siena |
walking the walls of Monteriggioni |
Later in the afternoon we stopped by a nearby burg called Monteriggioni. This small village is fully encircled by high medieval stone walls, we had a good ol' time climbing among them and eating gelato in the piazza.
Monteriggioni |
defending the castle from the Huns |
Back to the Palio in Siena
After some deliberation we decided to at
least try going to the Palio – heck it’s been held for some 600 years – what do
we have to lose? First challenge was trying to find parking – imagine trying to
find the perfect spot on the LES on a Saturday night. After a quick jaunt
around town we did find a parking lot and we were good to go from that perspective. Then we ventured up the walled old town and found a comfortable spot to wait for a
couple hours for the festivities to begin. Rhonda went off with Matthew and did a tour of the Duomo and Ruby and I people watched in the palazzo. We weren't exactly sure if we were in the right spot to get a good view of the festivities but in the end all the pageantry unfolded right in front of us.
It was
spectacular to watch the drumming, the flag waving, the singing and the all the
folks in their full medieval regalia getting blessed by the bishop. We even
joined in the festivities by buying a flag from one of the contrade (neighborhood
associations).
the Palio parade |
the Palio festivities |
practicing for next year's! |
Our next stop for the day was village of San Gimignano.
Famous for its 13 tall stone towers from the 1300’s it was a pleasant place to
grab some dinner (the kids of course had pizza for the like the 5th
meal in the row!) and some gelato on the piazza.
more gelato in San Gimignano |
soccer with a new friend in San Gimignano |
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