Sienna, Italy
November 7 & 8, 2014
Another 14 hour train ride with too many changes to count. We did not have a sleeper train since we started traveling early in the afternoon. We arrived in Sienna around midnight dead tired. We do not have a hotel reservation. We had one in Sienna for the night before, but due to travel issues, we were unable to keep the reservation. So now it is midnight, everything is closed at the train station. The city is dark and no one is around. Thank goodness there is one taxi. He takes us to the hotel and lucky for us they have one room and it is a suite. A little more than we had hoped, but it was great and with two big rooms so we could decompress. We opened the windows and the night air was so cool. Also had a tiny bathtub, but not too tiny for me. Took a hot bubble bath and soaked for a long time. Enjoyed a wine from the mini bar. Expensive, but needed! What a day!
We did not set the alarm, because we needed some sleep. After we woke up, went down for a yummy breakfast. Another hot bath for me, then we hit the streets. Sienna is a beautiful small town. The shops were amazing, and the town was buzzing with people. This is the first time we did not have an agenda. We leisurely strolled up and down the small brick streets. I think we both needed a day of nothing. We did need to do some shopping for some things we needed before we head home. One thing we needed was a big suitcase for Lee's backpack. Too heavy to carry, because we keep accumulating things along the way. Found one that was perfect. Now we think we need a smaller one for my backpack. We will not know how to act without being attached to our backpacks. We have been attached for over two months! Then more shopping. Having so much fun.
Time for lunch. Found a great restaurant where everything is homemade. I settled for vegetarian pizza and lee had veggie pasta. We ordered chianti that was wonderful. Really nice staff too! We finished and then needed to take items we purchased to our room. I decided I wanted to take a nap. Lee wanted to do more shopping. I was still asleep when he returned three hours later. I really needed a nap to catch up on lost sleep.
Then we walked around the backstreets of town. Shops were quaint and smaller. We were still not in a hurry. Also, started looking for a place to have dinner. We found a small restaurant owned and operated by a three generation family. From where I was sitting, I could see the family cooking in the kitchen. The food was delicious!
Then we returned home, needed to make better use of our time tomorrow. There is a lot to see and do in Sienna.
November 8, 2014
Slept until almost 9:00am. Yea! Then we went down for breakfast. Love this service. Our hotel had no rooms available for today, so we had to change hotels. We found one the day before and it was right in the middle of town and less expensive. So we moved our things and headed out to check out the sites.
First stop, Basilica of San Domenico also known as Basilica Cateriniana. The church was originally built in the early 1200's, with renovations being made in the 14th and 15th century. The church is named for St. Catherine of Sienna and contains many of her relics. The chapel also houses her decapitated head and thumb. From an early age she vowed to give her life to God and do good things to help other people. She did just that.
Next stop, Sienna Opera Della Metropolitan Complex. This complex includes The Cathederal, the Baptistry, The Crypt, The Opera and The Library. This cathedral is amazing from the mosaic flooring to the beautiful ceilings and yet different from any other we have seen. Every chapel and every room is adorned with masterpieces. The Cathederal was built with black and white striped marble. This is striking. The arched ceilings are painted blue with gold stars. The mosaic tile covered the entire cathedral.
After viewing the entire complex, we climbed up thousands of stairs, well maybe not thousands, but it seemed like it. The stairs were spiral and very small. Only one way up and one way down. If someone needed to pass, you had to hug the wall so they could go up or down. The view of the town was definitely worth it.
We had worked up an appetite and we were still craving some more Italian food. we found a restaurant with homemade lasagna. It was great. Then we went in search of some decadent dessert or gelato? We settled on almond cookies and hazelnut chocolates. Then we returned to our hotel. Now that we have new suitcases, time for some much needed re-organization. Then needed to make plans for tomorrow. Will it be Rome, Prussia or Salerno? What an adventure!!!
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