Thursday, 10 May 2012

Siena, Tuscany

From Florence we travelled south to Siena in search of rolling hills and the rural scenes of Tuscany. Found an amazing camp ground with lots of trees and flat camp sites. On the first day here we caught the local bus into the centre of town and wandered the streets checking out the Il Campo (where once a year they have a bareback horse race, the only rule is you cannot grab the other jockey's reins).  The area where they race is circular and in the shape of an ampitheatre.  The temperature has been steadily climbing as we head south a solid 28 degrees today (still in Spring), melting the gelato far too quickly...

Siena campsite, shady trees and lots of bird life

Local red wine "Chianti" and Ragu (Tomato and mince) and Pici noodles for dinner.

Chocolato fondant gelato in Siena

Il Campo (where the annual horse race is held)

Streets of Siena

The second day we were keen to sample some of the local wines and possibly do a tour.  After weighing up our options it seemed best to just jump in the car and randomly drive the small local roads for the day. The roads we travelled were easy going and the scenery quite spectacular, vineyards everywhere.

Tuscan vineyard

Siena rural vista

Chapel within the walls of Castello de Brolio

Castello walls

The view from the outer wall of Castello de Brolio

Castello de Brolio

Gardens below

Typical rural buildings and surrounding vineyards

Wine tasting at de Brolio Vineyard

Destroying another pizza, in Gaiole in Chianti, attempted some pigeon Italian with some success..

Cool red Vespas for hire

The trusty steed and I

Streets of Radda in Chianti




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