Sienna and San Gimignano

Saturday, October 9th

Maybe one of the prettiest pictures I have ever taken!
San Gimignano rooftops with Tuscany hillsides in the background! 

Sienna 

Today, we went to Sienna and San Gimignano, which are the two most famous villages in the Tuscany region of Italy (other than Florence), with ISA (the program I am here in Italy through). We took a bus to Sienna and had a two hour walking tour of the city. It is so beautiful and the weather is perfect! Our guide explained the history of the city which was so interesting! There are 17 different regions and whatever region you were born in, you live and remain in that section for the rest of your life. If you marry and move outside your birth region, you always remain a part of your region “at heart”. Each region is named after an animal (owl, goose, caterpillar, shewolf (I’m not sure on that one?) rhinoceros, dragon, etc.) and has there own flag and colors. 

Me in the center of Piazza del Campo!
Can you believe 40,000 people fit
inside this Piazza every year!?

Every year, there are two horse races called “Palio” and each region has a horse to represent them in the race. The race is held in the center of the city and is preceded by a huge celebration and parade. They race around a huge Piazza (Piazza del Campo), which is one of the most famous in all of Italy (and by far my favorite!). 40,000 people crowd into the Piazza for the race that lasts only a minute and a half. How incredible it would be to see this! Everyone dressed in their regions colors, waving flags and chanting/cheering their animals name. Definitely on my list of things to do before I die! We got salami sandwiches and a Panini shop and at in my new favorite piazza, in the beautiful sunshine, with a perfect breeze, ahhhh perfect moment! This is one of those “Come on Dana, focus on soaking this in! You need to remember this moment” moments that I’ve talked with a few of you about. So great!  :)

San Gimignano

Five of the famous towers in San Gimignano.

Then we got back on the bus and had a 45-minute ride to San Gimignano. We had no idea what to expect upon arrival, but had all heard amazing things about it. We walked up the hill into town and looked down to see the most amazing view of Tuscany. There were little villas, fields f grape vines in long, long rows on rolling hillsides (sorry, not trying to rub this in!). The weather is perfect and the sun is casting the most amazing rays that create contrasts with light and shadow areas. I feel like this was my first real taste of Tuscany, even though Florence in the capital city of the Tuscany region. Very exciting! 

A beautiful view of Tuscany!
Rolling hillsides and a vineyard! 

Then we went into the actual town to have a guided tour. San Gimignano is built on a hill and is surrounded by walls. It is famous for its medieval architecture, especially its towers, which can be seen from several miles outside the town. While most ancient cities towers have been brought down by wars, catastrophes, or urban renewal, San Gimignano has managed to conserve 14 towers, which have become its international symbol. 

We only had a couple of hours here so we basically took the tour around, learned a little history about each tower and church, climbed a tower that over looks the country side (so gorgeous!) and finished the tour in the city center. The buildings are all very cute, like they’re out of some kind of perfect dollhouse. Lots of beautiful windows, vines and flowers. After the tour, we all grabbed a large cone of gelato at the shop that has been rated “top in the world” for the past four years in a row! Let me tell you, it lived up to its reputation! I got Chiocolato, Tiramisu, and Nutella! Yum! Overall, perfect day in a perfect place, with perfect weather, and perfect views… and perfect gelato! Oh how truly fortunate I am! Seriosly?! Who visits two such amazing villages in one day? With perfect weather? I guess that is just my life! J

The best Geleteria in the world 4 years in a row?!

A couple of beautiful dollhouse like buildings 

'Cause if you dream it might come true,
and when you dream, Dream Big!