Siena

Not too far out of Rome, and not too far from Florence is the quiet town of Siena. Famous for its 90 second Palio di Siena; a horse race around the city centre, Piazza del Campo.

Weird race, I know, but a pretty cool city. Siena is built around Piazza del Campo, a meeting place for all, fantastic side streets with cafes and souvenir shops, thift shops and clothing chains, and a great view of the city's amazing Palazzo Pubblico adjacent to the Torre de Mangia, a tower standing tall within the city centre.

The world heritage listed city is also home to the Siena Cathedral, its Duomo, with similar colouring to the cathedral in Orvieto, alternating white and greenish black stripes a main feature. It's huge! Make sure you wear glasses that day, the white is so bright it's blinding.

Ceramics is a speciality here, with plates, cups and oil and vinegar sets to die for :) bottle stopper your cheapest options for a souvenir. Amazing desserts and cakes, gelato galore and the city's famous osso bucco spaghetti is worth a try.

The town isn't very 'happening' by night. Most of the younger crowd hang in the Piazza del Campo and drink, but the night ends shortly after midnight (usually when the public transport has finished too) we found ourself in the city centre one night chatting to 10 Italian teens about all things Aussie, I don't know why we are so fascinating :)

We camped a short way outside of the main city, 15 minute walk to the train station and a big supermarket, bus ride into the main town, but worth the cheap accommodation. We enjoyed the views, and of course the quiet. We spent 4 nights in Siena, and for us that was a little too much but if you're ready to chill, this is the place.

Heading to Florence next, ready for the pace to pick up a bit :) xx

         

1:Piazza del campo 2: cake and crockery 3: rude Italian expressions tshirt 4: pigpen fountain 5/6/7: Palazzo Pubblico and the Torre de Mangia 8: features inside the Palazzo, including wishing well 9: weird pig restaurant 10: nativity shop 11: food heaven 12: duomo sign 13/14/15: the amazing Duomo, wearing Miishka dress, Karen walker sunglasses 16: feet at the duomo 17: spaghetti lunch :) 18/19: nearby church and view 20: stunning view 21: lane way with division flags 22: waiting for nothing 23: record tables at a funky cafe 24: Serbia view on the country side, beautiful 25: dinner at our camp ground, decicant desserts :)