Tuscany...
The hillside towns rooted in the rolling green countryside filled with red
poppies and fields of wild mustard will forever come to mind on the rainy
winter days in Newport when the skies are grey. Picturing the Italian sun
shining on the ancient cypress trees, we’ll remember a satisfying meal in
Lucca ending with the lingering tang of garlic and olive oil and taste the
crisp, robust wine in Chianti.
While in Tuscany this spring we found
ourselves driving down roads that we imagine no American has seen; we
breezed through villages so small that if you blinked they’d disappear. We
had a chance to explore the much-loved towns of Lucca and San Gimignano and
visited the renowned cities of Siena and Florence. We found that May, when
all the flowers are blooming and the summer crowds have yet to arrive, is a
great time to visit Tuscany. When we left it was with a heavy heart, but
with warm memories and with high hopes of returning.
The Sights of Siena and San Gimignano
After a
ferry ride from Capri to Naples, followed by a train trip from Naples to
Rome and a two-hour drive from Rome to Siena, we arrived in Siena late in
the afternoon a bit flat from our day’s travels. But the sight of the
medieval walled city lifted our spirits.
After checking into our hotel just outside the walls, we walked through the winding streets to the main square. The Piazza del Campo, the pulsing heart of Siena, is lined with charming shops and sidewalk cafes and bustles with the foot traffic of locals and tourists. We settled down at a small, outdoor table to enjoy a little people watching and ordered a refreshing glass of Prosceco.
Siena enjoys the reputation of being one of Italy’s prettiest medieval towns and for many years it rivaled Florence as the ancient capital of the region. The main square sits at the center of the city’s 17 contrade, or neighborhoods, and flags displaying the symbolic animals of each neighborhood flutter over the streets. Competition between the districts is traditionally fierce, particularly during the Palio, the thrilling horse races that take place each summer. As we wound through the streets later that evening heading back to our hotel, we rounded a corner and were blessed with a stunning view of the expansive countryside around the city, courtesy of Siena’s hilltop position.
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