Pisa, San Gimignano & Siena, Italy

On Friday we made three stops on the way to San Venanzo, Italy. Our first was in Pisa. It was a quick stop! The reviews online had mentioned it wasn't the safest city and when we pulled up, street peddlers swarmed the car. They wanted us to pay them to "watch" the car and they weren't happy when we said no. After that, I didn't want to leave the car for too long with all of our bags and devices.

Lemon soda before we hopped back in the car.

Next stop was San Gimignano. The ride there was very scenic and really starting to look like the Tuscany I had imagined.

San Gimignano

Mural in a church.

Our last stop before heading to our hotel was in Siena. Italy's most famous horse race "Il Palio" is in Siena and we were lucky enough to be passing through the city on the day of the race. Siena has seventeen "sub-communities" or contradas and ten of them have a horse and jockey representing them in the race. The first race was run in 1656. Everything I read beforehand mentioned just how busy the city would be that day. There were droves of people and many of the locals were wearing their communities flags around their necks. The race takes place in the city square and lasts about 90 seconds but they spend all year preparing for it. It really was a celebration!

more amazing views

A look at one of the horses.

One website said that race day is very tense for the riders and owners and when they pass you in the streets DO NOT taunt them. The streets were very narrow and they were yelling, pushing through.

Ordering water. Gas or no gas?

We stopped for a souvenir. The girls loved these festive masks.

We were very close to this horse and jockey.

As close as we could get to the town square where the race was being held, without actually going in.

Making our way to that gelateria. Rosie asks for it everyday!

Taxi ride back to the car...the girls had too much walking this day. Mal was very happy to be sitting.

 

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