Italy, October, 2008, Debbie, Pam, Rich, Wayne, Rick Steves, Siena, San Gimignano, Cinque Terre, Monterosso, Levanto, Palio, Siena, Tuscany,

Fall 2008 - Four Weeks in Italy
San Gimignano, Siena & the Heart of Tuscany

Day Twelve - Leaving Monterosso:

Heading out of Monterosso in the morning normally wouldn't allow for a chance to take more photos. This day was different, though, because the train to Levanto was going to be 50 minutes late.

Wayne and I saw this as an opportunity to check out the far North end of town which we hadn't seen much of yet. We came across a big Giant Statue of Hercules attached to an even bigger rock, some colorful houses, and another castle, among other things.

So we're shooting photos like crazy when, all of a sudden, Pam comes running up the hill to tell us the Train is now only going to be about 15 minutes late, meaning it will be there any minute. We all ran back to the Train station. We made it - close one!

Monterosso's Recycling Headquarters,
The "Green" Building (Maybe Not?)

Wish Our Bogenvilla Grew Like That

Big Giant Statue (Compare to our Ladies Standing Below)

Close-Up View of the Statue

Interesting Looking Structure

Looks Like a Torrey Pine

These Archways Don't Seem to Go Anywhere

Monterosso

San Gimignano:

Day Twelve - San Gimignano:

We spent the morning in San ChimiChanga, I Mean Gimignano. Famous for its many towers which allow it to be seen from a great distance and provide one of the most remarkable sights in Tuscany. In its prime, the city was known for it's colorful fabrics.

The large towers were used to dry the material and the taller the tower, the longer the bolt of fabric could be made. The longer the roll, the more valuable it would be because that meant someone could match the curtains in more rooms (or something like that). At one time, there were nearly sixty towers.

For more information about San Gimignano, refer to: San Gimignano.

Heading Up the Hill, Out of Levanto

On the Road to San Gimignano

Marble Yard On the Road to San Gimignano

That's a Lot of Marble

On the Road to San Gimignano

Pam's Place

San Gimignano From a Distance

Map to San Gimignano

Map of San Gimignano

View From San Gimignano

View From San Gimignano

I Think This Means Their Pizza is Spicy

Entering San Gimignano

San Gimignano's Main Gate

Heading in - Draw Your Swords!

Jacklyn & Bruce Explore San Gimignano

One of San Gimignano's Towers

You Bet - They Sell Meat Here

There Are Still Quite a Few Towers

Everyone's Smiling - Must be Time to Eat

Italian Plates

More Plates & Pottery

Plates & Pottery Are Hand-Painted

Looks Like The Dog's Going to Escape Before They Eat It

Lunchtime in San Gimignano

More Views From San Gimignano

More Views From San Gimignano

Umbrella Pines - Appropriately Named

More Towers

San Gimignano

More Views From San Gimignano

View Through the Umbrella Pines

More Views From San Gimignano

Beautiful in Every Direction

San Gimignano - Good View Showing Many of the Towers

More Views From San Gimignano

Pam & Rich Enjoying a Beautiful Day in San Gimignano

View Through an Arrow Slit

San Gimignano

View of the Towers From Piazza il Duomo

il Duomo

View of Main Street From a Tower

View of Piazza Della Cisterna

Wayne, Joan & Paula in San Gimignano

This View Kinda Gives an Idea
How Thick the Walls Are

Debbie & Pam Caught Eating Some
Vitamin "G" - Without Us (Oh, the Humanity)

San Gimignano's Famous Gelato Bar - Excellent!

Piazza Della Cisterna

Don't Lose Your Head

You Can See Signs of an Old Staircase &
Roof Line on The Side of This Tower

Siena:

Day Twelve - Siena:

After absorbing San Gimignano for a few hours, we headed into the heart of Tuscany and the "living museum" of Siena, brimming with some of Italy's finest Gothic architecture.