Steam Train to the Chestnut Festival

Sunday was a perfect day and we took an early train to Siena for a day-long excursion to Piancastagnaio for their chestnut festival. A coal-powered steam engine and cars from the 1800's were novelties for us. And we actually liked the roasted chestnuts!

Montalcino's Sagra del Tordo

It was the 54th Festival of the Thrushes marking the start of the hunting season. The day began with a parade in period costume down the main street. Each of the four neighborhoods competes in an archery competition later in the day, but meanwhile local foods are enjoyed in a picnic setting. Steve and I feasted on all sorts of mushrooms with brunello wine.

Back from Florence

We returned to Asciano Thursday after visiting the Duomo Museum in the morning.  This is where Michelangelo's Pieta is housed. Both of us appreciate the sculptures more than the religious paintings! On Friday we visited the little village of Pienza, a town completely planned by Pope Pius II (1458). The nave in the church is one of the most beautiful we've seen.

Museums, Churches, and Walks

Between yesterday and today, we've done 5 museums, 3 churches, and 2 of Rick Steve's "walks" around Florence. So we've checked off most of our must-sees. Thankfully the sun came out about noon today and we were finally able to get some pictures. We also enjoyed a great lunch and walking along the Ponte Vecchio, the quintessential Florence photo op! (Pictured is Steve along the Arno River and his first course at lunch of pasta with porcini mushrooms. Oh, and David!)

Room With a View!

While still dark the train left Asciano for Siena where we hopped a local bus to the city center. From there we caught an express bus to Florence. A lot of changes to go 60 miles! We dropped our backpacks at our hotel which is right next to the big cathedral that Rick Steves calls "the most beautiful church facade this side of heaven". (See picture from our room.) We have started our museum marathon!

Festival of the New Oils

The olives are being pressed now and Sunday we attended a celebration in the small town of Tequanda. In addition to tasting green, fresh oil, we also sampled pecorino cheese (sheep, fresh or aged), fig salami, sausages, local wines, and warm polenta. This was our kind of festival! We then drove the small roads enjoying the Tuscan landscape, stopping to see yet one more walled city, Mintepulciano.

Venturing Further Out - An Abbey and Medieval Towns

We left about 10 am Saturday and drove a short while to the Abbey of Monte Oliveta Maggiore founded by the Benedictine monks in 1319. Lunch was at a nice restautant on the grounds where both of us had veal scaloppine and Steve tried the Truscan Bean Soup. From there we visited the walled towns of Buonconvento and Montalcino, famous for its Brunello wine made from the Sangiovese grape. Of course we did a little tasting!

Off to Italy!

We fly from Spokane to Rome tomorrow, arriving on October 20th. We'll be renting a car at the airport and driving to Asciano, a small town outside of Siena, where we'll stay in this home. Our goal is to sleep on the plane so we don't sleep driving to Asciano!