A Day in Siena

Here we are in Siena, another ancient walled city on top of a mountain. The historic center of Siena is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Piazza del Campo 

The Torre del Mangia (Tower) 

Sorry I cut off the top of the tower!

Typical scenery around Siena.

The Piazza is the site of the Palio, a medieval horse race that is run twice a year.

During our visit the locals and tourists alike were enjoying a beautiful sunny day.

The streets were narrow and hilly.

Siena Cathedral

Shops and restaurants lined the ancient streets.

For lunch, I enjoyed a delicious slice of pizza followed by lemon gelato while walking down this street.

Fountain on the piazza.

Vineyards with olive trees

Following our time in Siena we were back on the motor motorcoach for a scenic drive to a winery for wine tasting and tour. Here is our tour guide with the huge wooden barrels. 

Salute!

Another enchanted day in Tuscany.

Next - Pisa.

💟Peace, Myra

Lucca, the Devil's Bridge and the Gothic Line

Walking through the gate in the Renaissance wall of Lucca, we were greeted by drummers in costume.  This was a festival day in Lucca with reenactments and traditional music.

Ancient history on display.

Waiting outside the wall.

A view from inside the wall.

The architecture is varied and very detailed.

Street scene

San Michele in Foro

Statue of opera composer Giacomo Puccini

Puccini's piano in the museum.

Roof view from Puccini (home) museum.

Narrow streets with wonderful views around every turn.

Guinigi Tower in background with oak trees on top.

Lucca Cathedral

The Last Supper by Tintoretto

Interior of Lucca Cathedral

Great contrast of old and new.

From Lucca we made a brief stop at the Ponte del Diavolo (Devil's Bridge)

Propaganda posters from WWII at the Museum of Liberation.

After a guided tour of the museum we visited a bunker.

Poppys blooming near the bunker.

Lucca was one of my favorite stops in Tuscany. 

I do hope I have the little bit of information posted here is correct. There are so many churches, museums, etc. that I have to hope my notes and research are correct!

Next stop another walled city, Siena.

💟Peace, Myra

Tuscany 2017 - Florence

Several years ago I visited Rome and the Amalfi Coast. I have longed to return to Italy. In April we traveled with Collette to "Discover Tuscany".

Florence was high on by bucket list. I wanted to visit the city of the Medici family. I wanted to see the dome that took so long to finish and caused so much controversy. Dan Brown's Inferno was in the back of my mind seeing the statue of Dante and passing the Uffizi Gallery. The novel The Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant is a good read for anyone interested in the life and times of another era in the history of the great city of art and architecture. Florence did not disappoint.

First stop the Academy Gallery and Michelangelo's David.

The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore at the Piazza del Duomo

I recommend the Netflix original series Medici Masters of Florence for more about this architectural masterpiece and life in ancient Florence.

                                                            Magnificent!

Cathedral detail showing the varied colors of marble used in construction.

The Baptistery with the famous gilded bronze doors.

Detail of one of the panels on the bronze door.

The Rape of the Sabine Women statue by Giambologna.

The pigeons seemed to pose for this photo.

Ponte Vecchio Bridge

Statue of Dante Alighieri in the Piazza Santa Croce with Basilica of Santa Croce in the background.

It is the burial place of Michelangelo, Galileo, Machiavelli and other famous Italians.

Detail on door, Basilica of Santa Croce.

A wonderful day in a magnificent city. Great window shopping, good pasta and did I mention the wine?

Next I'll take you to Lucca.

💟peace,Myra