Castel Monastero

For our last night in Florence we headed to Cibreo, a restaurant on Via de'Macci a 15 minute walk from our hotel. The waiters deliver the menu verbally, making it personable and charming. 

Thumbs up for Europe and the electric car... its back!

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After Florence we rented a car and drove the two hour scenic route to Siena, Tuscan country.

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We took a quick stop for some wine.. Unfortunately it wasn't open but the property was charming.

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Castel Monastero: Our hotel just outside Siena

It used to be a Monastery and was abandoned in the late 19th century. 

Various pieces of artwork scattered around the property 

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Some photographs from our first full day walking around Siena. 

Siena is divided into 17 districts. Each district has their own animal, this fountain shows the district of the fish. 

Turtle district.. of course my favorite. Water continuously runs from the mouth of the turtle, a constant water fountain that you can drink from. 

The Duomo in Siena. This photograph was taken from inside the first and for many years only public (free) hospital in Europe. 

Siena's main square.. gigantic!

Treasure 

Siena is known for their pasta and their meats.. PIG! 

Every Sunday from April through October each district celebrates and baptises all the babies born in that year. The Sunday we visited the Dragon district was parading through the streets!

On to Siena

On our last day in Florence we took a day trip out to Lucca, a small town about 40 minutes outside the city. 

I did ask if I could ride this bike... he said rentals were around the corner...

Love the wood and handles on these doors.

Family picture before our bike ride :) 

The walls built around Lucca are so thick you can drive a car on them

First nights dinner at La Posta restaurant in Florence. Incredible truffle spaghetti!

 The next day we took a four hour walking tour of Florence, starting with the Academia museum and ending at the Uffizi. 

Small view of the Duomo through a side street.

In order to build more housing (and having limited space below), Tuscans would build out from the second floor, supporting the new space with a wooden beam. Not sure how supportive it looks today..

Piazza della Signoria near the Uffizi.  Sculpture by Cellini of Perseus holding the head of Madusa.  

 Right off the Ponte Vecchio

 LOVE THE MINIS! Get me in one of those.

A way two different families would travel to see each other.

 Part of the raised pathway which was built in order for royals to travel across the river without having to go outside.

 nice legs..

  At the Golden View, restaurant along the Ponte Vecchio. Delicious tomato and bread soup and porcini and mozzarella pizza. 

 Old roman baths are in the basement of this hotel.. pretty awesome!
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Dinner at Villa San Michelle, 15 minutes outside Florence.

Baby desserts, unfortunately they ALL had nuts in them....

CHEERS!