Thursday 18 November 2010

Lago Trasimeno, Rapolano, Sienna, Colle di Val d'Elsa, San Gimignano,

1st November - 3rd November


Lago Trasimeno


Lago TrasimenoWe took our time moving on from Assisi as the campsite let us check out pretty much whenever we wanted, which was excellent for us. The weather was pretty good too so we were in no hurry. Late in the day we headed in the general direction of Sienna, but on the way we got side-tracked by Lago Trasimeno which is a pretty big lake about halfway between Sienna and Assisi. We found a great spot to park up, specifically for campers and it didn't cost anything as we had arrived late. We were up early the next morning to enjoy the sunrise over the lake.

Rapolano


We were making our way to Sienna when again we got side-tracked and ended up in the Thermal Spa town of Rapolano. We decided to park up for a while and later had a mooch into town. As we were walking into the town centre we saw a group of elderly folk walking slowly down the middle of the road. They were followed by a priest and hearse and another group of younger folk with children in a funeral procession for someone who was obviously well liked. Almost the whole town was marking the passing of a friend and everything came to a standstill they passed, the only sound was the leading of prayer by the priest and the marching of feet. It was quite a touching moment.

Sienna


Il CampoWe finally made it into Sienna late on and had a look around the town in the fading light. It was a very cute place with a grand sloping semi-circle as the town centre "square". Apparently everyone comes out to sunbathe on it's banks during the summer months. It also has an unusual church which has white and green horizontal stripes, giving the impression that it's made out of lego. We wandered the back streets of the town for a good few hours before heading back to the van for the night, but not before I'd had my local delicacy which I picked up near Assisi. They were really thick sausages with a combination of spices I can only guess at, but which tasted delicious. I'm sorry I can't be more descriptive than that but I was in such a rush to eat them that I destroyed the packaging. Ah well... We also got hold of some of the local cheese, a soft variety called Piccorino which was also very tasty.

Colle di Val d'Elsa


Colle di Val d'ElsaWe pushed off from Sienna the next day and this time headed towards San Gimignano, another place which had been recommended to us on our travels. It was on our way there that we spotted signs for Colle di Val d'Elsa and I just had to insist we checked it out. Rachel kindly humoured me on this. It was another interesting little town and it had it's own special history spending much of it's time either being conquered by one of the nearby, more powerful cities, of Florence and Sienna. As a result it boasts it's own castle and imposing city walls and is a quaint town for a little stroll.

San Gimignano


San GimignanoAfter the little "folly in Colle" we again headed North to San Gimignano, which is now known as the "Medieval Manhatten" on account of it's skyscraper-like towers. The town, in it's heyday had 47 towers, essentially bragging about it's wealth. It now only has 17 remaining but it is still impressive as almost every corner you turn shows you more rectangular blocks stretching up to the sky. Its another quaint place and it is also fiercly proud of it's heritage and local produce of honey and saffron and especially the Vernaccia white wine, grown almost exclusively in the region and enjoyed by Popes throughout the ages (although I have it on good authority the current Pope enjoys a glass of Augustina beer from Munich).

Tuscan countrysideWe have been treated throughout the last few days to the sumptuous views of the Tuscan countryside turning golden in autumn, the rolling hills, vineyards and olive groves turning reddish yellows as winter approaches. San Gimignano was a particularly good vantage point for this as it is perched 334m above sea level with commanding views of the surrounding area, and we had an even more advantageous viewpoint once we had climbed onto the city walls

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