New look + Siena + San Gimignano!

One of my biggest pet peeves is having my ideas copied, yet I’ve decided to be innovative rather than getting upset over it, thus the new look. After putting in my own header, this new WordPress template actually looks pretty neat, doesn’t it? :) 

Alright alright, shall continue with my Italy travelogue now.

Siena

Our 4th day in Italy began with us taking a train from Florence to Empoli, where we got onto a connecting bus that drove us to Siena.

Siena is a small town full of medieval buildings (Ivan, you’ll love this place!). It is home to Il Palio, a chaotic bareback horse race that takes place twice a year in Il Campo.

Piazza G. Matteotti

The shell-shaped brick square Piazza del Campo (Il Campo) looks particularly fascinating. At the top of the slope is Fonte Gala, a rectangular marble fountain that was built in the 1300s. At the bottom is Torre del Mangia bell tower, which stands on Palazzo Pubblico.

Il Campo, with Torre del Mangia at the background

Fonte Gala

Kids all dressed up for the carnival

Come lunchtime, Cheryl and I decided to sample Siena’s famous local specialty, panforte, at Bar/Pasticceria Nannini, which is apparently pretty popular with the locals and tourists alike.

Panforte = a confection of honey, almonds and citron

The panforte at Nannini comes in various flavours. Bought myself Pan di Siena al Ciocolatto, but it was unfortunately too gingery for my liking.

View more photos of Siena here!

San Gimignano 

On the 5th day, we headed to San Gimignano, which is a hilltop village 2.5 hours away from Siena. Founded in the 3rd century BC, the village has been declared as part of the World’s Architectural Heritage by UNESCO.

One of San Gimignano’s ancient gates

But first, we decided to have lunch at Caffè Giardino before exploring the town.

Cheryl’s bresaola, which is thinly-sliced cured beef served with tomatoes and fresh rocket leaves. The dish originated from the Lombardy region of Italy.

My fussili with Italian herbs and pecorino cheese! Looks normal but the pasta tasted like nothing I’d tried before.

The whole San Gimignano was surrounded by fortification walls such as this. If not for the cars, it was almost as if we were in another century!

A torture museum!

Today, San Gimignano boasts 14 towers, all that remain of the original 72. This is pretty extraordinary since in many cities in Italy, most of the towers have been brought down due to wars, catastrophes or urban renewal.

Torre Grossa (if I’m not wrong :p), Palazzo Communale’s tallest remaining tower at 54m

What I love most about San Gimignano, though, is its many viewing points where one could enjoy breathtaking views of Tuscany.

The highlight of the day: the rolling green hills of Tuscany!

View more photos of medieval San Gimignano here!