We began our day with a lovely breakfast at Poggio Etrusco and, after getting some parking advice from Pamela, took off for Siena.  Having spent 2 weeks, twice, studying Italian in Siena, about 14 years ago, it was like a homecoming of sorts.

We parked at the “Il Campo” parking lot and walked right into town. Immediately had this view:

 I seemed to remember every step and it was totally nostalgic.  We walked to the Piazza del Campo first to admire it and then got some coffee and walked on. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We couldn’t skip the incredible duomo where I lit a candle, this time for our grown up kids, Josh, Teresa, Kathryn and Tyler.  We are so lucky!

The ceramics street was calling my name but I ended up not buying anything because I just don’t want to carry it with all the travel we have left and shipping is just too expensive.

We went to lunch at Tavern di Cecco for the nostalgia.  The same guys were there and I told them we remembered them.  We ate well—pasta with boar ragu, vegetables and roast pork.  Two women were sitting beside us and we talked with them a lot; it was very enjoyable.

The Consozio Agrario has been there a long time but it’s all spiffed up and appealing.  So we bought some salad, bread and cured meats to have for dinner.  After stopping at Grom (a new addition, just off the Campo) for gelato we walked back to the car and drove back to our little hideaway.

Siena seemed much more tourist friendly, cleaner and not very crowded…yet.  Lots of shops and restaurants are gone but most are still right there.

Pamela invited us to sit outside for a glass of prosecco and conversation.  It’s fun getting to know them better and spend some quality time in this perfect setting on this perfect spring evening.