Chianti region of Tuscany
Sunday morning cyclists
Daniel ringing the bell to enter Castello di Brolio
Kimberly at the Castello, home to the famous Barone Ricasioli Wine House...
...famous since the 1900's for attempts at improving the quality of Chianti
Vineyards have existed at the Castello since 1005.
Florentine Monks came here in 1141 to tend to the wineries.
Our Agriturismo, San Giorgio
The view from our room
Our room
Kimberly and Zookie playing on the swings at Agriturimso San Giorgio
...and the slide!
Dan and Zookie played too!
...and then there was the teeter totter
The farm part of Agriturismo San Giorgio
Kimberly & Zookie on the front lawn at Agriturismo San Giorgio
The view of Siena in the distance from Agriturismo San Giorgio
A different view from Agriturismo San Giorgio
Olives growing at Agriturismo San Giorgio
Volterra market
Volterra market (a special truffle market, as it was truffle season!)
Colorful laundry hanging in the streets of Volterra
Porta all'Arco, the Etruscan gate built in the 4th century in Volterra
An artisan working in his workshop in Volterra
These are the Etruscan horses that he makes (we bought one)
An alabaster workshop in Volterra
The ruins of the Roman Amphitheater in Volterra (well preserved because the residents used is as a garbage dump for centuries!)
Dan & Zookie in Volterra
Notice the funny bricks under the top windows, these used to be doors that led to extra woodden rooms and balconies crowding over the street, supported on cantilevered beams.
The old Medici Fortress in Volterra now keeps people in, rather than out...it is a maximum-security prison.
San Gimignano at night
Of the original 60 "skyscraper" towers, only 14 remai. Therich used them a refuge when the town was being sacked, or when families were feuding!
Welcome to Tuscany! Would you like some Boar?
A tractor plowing the fields near our Agriturismo
Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore
Olive trees growing in the Sienese Crests
A man locks up in the small town of Asciano
Daniel and Zookie taking a walk in Asciano
An afternoon game of cards in Asciano
Beautiful Crete Senese landscapes
The clay soil here is better for sunflowers or wheat
So you will not find many wineries in this part of Tuscany
Just beautiful landscapes punctuated by Cypress trees
Postcard-picture-perfect!
Siena's main square, Il Campo, where the Palio race is held every July
The Palazzo Pubblico, or City Hall
The view from the top
Sunset view of Siena's Duomo
Italian commentary...
If the Sienese had completed their vision to expand the cathedral, this parking lot would have been the nave and the existing catherdral the transcept!
The inlaid marble mosaic floor of the Duomo is one of the most ornate of its kind in Italy, covering the whole floor of the cathedral.
Saint Peter, by a young Michaelangelo
The Siena pulpit, made of Carrara marble, was sculpted by Nicola Pisano with the extensive participation of his son Giovanni Pisano
The Piccolomini library, with frescoes painted by the Umbrian Bernardino di betto, called Pinturicchio, that tell the story of the life of Siena's favourite son, cardinal Enea Silvio Piccolomini, who eventually became Pope Pius II.
What is shocking about the frescoes is their candor about Pope Pius II's life before starting his religious journey...he was quite the romancer, fathering two illigitimate children. Also, In the middle of the library is the famous statue Three Graces, a Roman copy of a Greek original.
Kimberly was successful on her Siennese shopping trip with exciting Italian purchases...boots!
Vineyards just north of Montalcino
The castle in Montalcino
The view of Montalcino from the castle ramparts
Yes, Zookie did climb up the ladder to get to the top of the tower!
They made it!
Zookie in the wine shop in the castle of Montalcino...where we drank Brunello di Montalcino.
Gregorian Chanting in the Abbey of Sant'Antimo
The Abbey of Sant'Antimo
The view from the Abbey of Sant'Antimo
Our purchases at the winery of Fattoria dei Barbi
More Sienese landscapes
In Pienza, Pope Pius II's palace, the Palazzo Piccolomini (sound familiar??)
Pope Pius II was responsible for completely remodeling the town in the Renaissance style in only five years.
Bells ringing in Pienza
The view at sunset from Pope Pius II's palace in Pienza, you can see the lights of the various little hilltowns.
Sunset from Pope Pius II's palace in Pienza
The sign says "I can enter, but my father can NOT smoke!"
And see, he did enter...and we didn't smoke!
Nearly every shop sells the town's specialty, Pecorino cheese
And other shops have beautiful displays of sauces, jams, honeys, and other Tuscan treats
Halloween in Pienza
Trick or Treaters in Pienza
