Siena, Montepelciano! Bellisimmo
Another enjoyable breakfast under the morning sunshine.
Siena set as our first destination, we hit the road again. Jeff has really been looking forward to seeing where Palio is held. An age-old horse race that has been taking place for centuries in the piazza.
The central piazza…the place where Palio is held each summer
Parking a ways away we trekked up into town to the central piazza.
Ancient gates to Siena
Ended up touring a small museum as well. ( Mainly for a stop at the restrooms ;) )
Back out of town and headed for lunch. La Toraia, where we were recommended to go for bistecca. A steak the Italian way! Off the highway and down a gravel road. Passing the farm where they were raising these giant white cows on the way. Well we were talked out of ordering the giant bistecca to a smaller version. There would have been no way we would have been able to devour a whole giant one!
Delicious Tuscany steak
Stopping at Montepulciano on our way back to Lupia.
We found a lot of lovely stores here. A copper store (Bottega del Rame) with handmade copper cookware.
An amazing copper store
A leather store with great uniquely crafted goods. A store by the name of Cugusi where we picked up se pecorino cheese. A lot more lovely places, too many to list. After exploring the town a bit we stopped for some espresso and dessert at a Cafe. We were lucky enough to find a seat on their balcony to enjoy our goodies and the view as well!
Coffee break with a view!
Back at our home-base Lupia we took a little snooze before deciding what we were going to do for supper. We made the right choice by driving to a small town nearby (Montifolcino).
13 Gobbi was the name of the restaurant. Homemade pasta (caccio e pepe) done in a wheel of Pecorino cheese.
The best pasta dish
Perfecto! Jeff was already wanting to come back for more before we even left!
Home to Lupia! Found out our air conditioner wasn't working in the room. We had questioned it the last two nights. Our solution was opening doors and widows and enjoying the country air for the night. Thankfully it has been cooling off at night.
