Siena: best food, prettiest view, cutest dogs

We took a train from Florence to Siena, two Italian cities highly competitive of one another, not knowing what to expect. We had planned to stay a single night, then leave for Assisi the next day. But after an evening stroll through the gorgeous Tuscan streets, and one long look at the view from our family-run hostel, we decided to extend our stay and skip Assisi altogether. If I had the option, I would have extended it a week. In the aesthetic battle between Florence and Siena, I say Siena takes the cake (or gelato).

Siena feels cleaner, less crowded, and more rustic than Florence. Nearly every street you turn onto, you expect to see high fashion models posing against the highly editorial back drops. It's extremely easy to get around by foot, because everything is basically centered around two main points: Il Campo, a large square that fans out from the City Hall to create an amphitheater, and El Duono, an ornate white and dark-green striped church dating all the way back to 1215. We spent the first night in Siena observing the lounging couples and dining families that occupy Il Campo, then the next morning admiring the colorful stained glass and amazingly preserved artwork of the virgin mary and others in El Duomo.

Because we were 'under the Tuscan sun' we decided last minute to hop on a wine tour that afternoon. The strangest coincidences happened on this 5 hour tour through tiny Tuscan towns outside Siena. We ended up running into the two wisconsans we drank with in Le Cinque Terre, as well as Jenn's friend Joyce who we were already planning to meet in Rome later this week. We also found THE world champion gelateria for the past four years, and omg it was just that delicious. Much like every single meal we've had in Italy.





















Above pictures are all the view from our hostel






Typical Siena street - Seriously, the all look like this





Wine and butcher shop
















Our first meal, which we scarfed down in less than ten minutes flat










We ate our last meal at this family run tavern and wine cellar. During our second course, the owner lead us into the chilly wine cellar, and served us their fresh honey on cheese. Michelin guide recommended and Rick Steves approved.




Followed by gelato, of course




The Tuscan countryside




In one of two small tuscan towns we visited on our wine tour

I dedicate the following pics to Aspen, my little American Eskimo, who I miss very very much:













Kisses!


More kisses xx

Location:Siena, italy