June 6 to 9 Tuscany

Explored Montepulciano, another town ideally suited to a quiet meander along beautiful streets & piazza’s & checked out a wine cellar in a cave under the town. Also visited a Museum of Torture (just for something different??) – quite gruesome & a bit scary to see what one human is capable of doing to another.

Montepulciano shopping

Montepulciano

Next stop, Sienna. The superlatives continue as we visit the huge Piazza del Campo & Anne climbed the 388 steps to the top of the Torre del Mangia (too scary for me?) & we also checked out the stunning Duomo – these things are huge & ornate & there seem to be at least two in every town.

View from Torre del Mangia - Siena

Siena

A mixed day – a drive through the lovely Chianti area to Colle di Val d’Elsa where we had planned a walk but could not find any of the tracks so headed to San Gimignano, best known for its many Medieval towers and works of art. We then managed to get lost trying to find our accommodation for the night – which is in sight of San Gimignano? When we finally got there it was time for a rest.

From San Gimignano

San Gimignano

An amble through the beautiful Tuscan olive & grape farms kicked off a warm & sunny day. About half way through the walk we lost our track & had to hike part way along the road – not so beautiful but still a magnificent area for a walk. For most of the walk we caught glimpses of the towers of San Gimignano. Hot & tired but satisfied with a 15 to 20 km walk we headed for Lucca – another walled town but decided to say a little north of town. Finished up in Barga a quaint town in a valley between two large mountain ranges. Had a great meal & hit the sack.

San Gimignano walk

Headed a little north of Barga to further embrace the lovely river valleys, mountains & forests surrounded by rugged peaks before back tracking to Lucca. This is another walled town but this time on flat land & the wall is fully intact with arched entrance gates. The wall has been turned into a park surrounding the old city. It is possible to walk completely around the city on the wall - which we did of course - it is wide, with grass & trees & runs for about 4km. The rain had started again so we high tailed it to La Spezia. A little confusion when we misunderstood the GPS & finished up in a works depot with no exit other than back up the ramp the wrong way??? Arrived safe & well.

Barga

Lucca city wall