2. Travel

Tuscany

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. . . but is much smaller and less tourist-oriented than most of the Medieval cities we had visited.
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. . . but is much smaller and less tourist-oriented than most of the Medieval cities we had visited.

Italyscenictravel

  • This symbol is seen in many locations in and around the Duomo. It stands for Opera della Metropolitana, which is the administrative body of the Siena Cathedral.
  • Street musicians playing outside the Duomo.
  • Our last destination of the trip was San Quirico d'Orcia, a small medieval city in the heart of the Val D'Orcia (the valley of the Orcia River). We checked into Residenza Il Poggiolo, a restored stagecoach inn.
  • Our third floor corner apartment had magnificent views out over the river valley . . .
  • and looked directly over the Via Cassia, the ancient road from Rome to Florence.
  • The apartment was spacious, with a full kitchen, dining area, and
  • large bedroom with its own view.
  • After getting settled we walked into town and found a small osteria (local restaurant) on the main street, where we had yet another great meal.
  • San Quirico is a walled city . . .
  • . . . but is much smaller and less tourist-oriented than most of the Medieval cities we had visited.
  • The tower of the Collegiata, one of several churches within the city walls.
  • The Porta Capucchini, one of three portals into San Quirico.
  • Local kids kicking a soccer ball against the city walls.
  • The view from outside the city walls.
  • The next morning the fog was thick in the valley as a rooster crowed on a nearby farm. . .
  • . . . and Lou set out to visit his favorite photo location -- in the parking lot of a restaurant outside of San Quirico on the way to Pienza. This is one of the most photographed scenes in Tuscany.
  • We visited Pienza, a (you guessed it) medieval walled city nearby, known for its pienzino, a smooth sheep's milk pecorino that is sold either in a younger, softer version, or a harder, more aged version. We bought a wedge of the softer variety for the picnic we planned to have later.
  • Pienza is a rare example of Renaissance town design. Sometimes described as the "ideal city" or the "utopian city," it represents one of the best planned of Renaissance towns, where a model of ideal living and government was attempted, based on the concept of a town able to satisfy the needs of a peaceful and hardworking populace.
  • The streets are narrow and lined with wine bars and shops.
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