We had missed going to Pisa to see the leaning town on the way to Tuscany since the weather was crappy we did not want to make the detour. So today we made a 70 km trip back east to see the famous landmark. Then the plan was to meander the short way to Siena via the walled cities of Montaione and San Gimignano.
We did a drive by for the hill top town of Montaine with its high towers. We stopped to walk around in San Gimignano.
“San Gimignano is an Italian hill town in Tuscany, southwest of Florence. Encircled by 13th-century walls, its old town centers on Piazza della Cisterna, a triangular square lined with medieval houses. Other medieval features include fountains and towers, such as the stone Torre Grossa. The Duomo di San Gimignano is a 12th-century church with frescoes by Ghirlandaio in its Santa Fina Chapel.”
From there we continued on the small roads to arrive at Camping Siena. This is across the valley and with a view of the walled old city of Siena. We drove into town towards the stadium where we were told there was good parking. There is a 100 meter long stretch of road that is moto only parking and with easy access to the old city. Here there are narrow cobbled streets and a maze of roads to get to the centre where you will find the Duomo or Cathedral. Near by is the Piazza del Campo. This is a huge sunken plaza outside the city hall. They have held horse races around the plaza here several times a year for centuries.
“Siena, a city in Italy’s central Tuscany, is distinguished by its medieval brick buildings. The fan-shaped Piazza del Campo is dominated by the Palazzo Pubblico, the Gothic town hall, and Torre del Mangia, a slender 14th-century tower with sweeping views from its distinctive white crown. From this square at the center of town extend the city’s 17 historic contrade (wards)”.
From Siena we had a short drive east to meet our friend Roberto in Monte san Savino. He rode out from his village near by to meet us and direct us back to his place where he hosting us for the weekend.
We had met him and another Italian rider Matteo at a gas station in El Calafate Argentina in 2014. He was driving a bike with BC plates since he lives in Victoria with his family, but spends the summer in his hometown in Italy. Roberto has been around the world on his KTM including the Americas, Africa, and across Eurasia. When we pulled up I actually asked him “Is this a hotel?” He just got a new Africa Twin.
Luxury bike garage as well.
The caretakers house
Our suite!!!
He spend two days touring us around the small twisty roads of Tuscany. We set out into Tuscan wine country under sunny skies, but rain is forecast for 4 pm!
The tour involved some paved and some “white” roads.
The guys decide to go off off road, but with street tires and ditch crossings and mud they turned back. Good thing, because the “ closed road” they were trying to go down was maybe 200 meters and met the main again!
There were lots of stops for coffee and snacks at small out of the way spots.
We were glad to meet up with Sergio, Mary, Sara, and Mario who were so excited about our trip.
The guys decide to go thru the construction zone. To give Roberto credit he did ask this guy who said we could get thru….ahh not. We managed to make it home on Saturday 10 minutes before the torrential rain started, but 20 min after it did on Sunday!
Of course we had to end the day drving 10 km to find a gelato place open after 9 pm. Actually Daniel had 2!
Wonderful photos and breathtaking views! Toscany took my heart away! 🙂
Thanks, Tuscany really is a specail place.