Ian spent a long time before we left England researching where we might like to visit and putting complicated itineraries together. Today's plan was to go slightly north east-ish to the official Chianti region but also, following Franco and Louise's recommendations, to visit Monteriggioni and San Gusmè even though they were not really in the same direction.
Just a short stretch down the autostrada was our first stop of Monteriggioni which, guess what, is a fortified town on the top of hill. We found the car park very easily but as we drove in got rather confused - immediately on our left as we drove into the first section was an empty space (there was space for about 40 cars) but then there was a barrier leading to a larger area. All the other spaces in the first section had been taken except for ones marked disabled or tow-away and there were loads of cars already in the barrier section. So we drove out and in again and took that first space still trying to work out if it was ok to park there and why on earth would there be some free and then others payable. There seemed to be quite a few groups of middle aged men around so I wandered over to ask one group and was told "yes, OK to park and no charge". So I explained my confusion with the two systems to which the English speaker replied with a broad grin “ Ha!, but this is Italy!"
We walked up the hill and through the walled arch where we noticed a sign offering a walk along the ramparts and, having enjoyed that immensely in Dubrovnik, we thought it’d be worth doing again. Cost was €10 or €7 for concessions, so I got one ticket of each forgetting that I too now qualify for concession - although do I, as I'm not yet officially a pensioner? I guess it differs from place to place and how decrepit I'm feeling at the time.
What a con - you literally walked up the steps but could only go about 6 meters along the wall as the rest of it was blocked off. At the opposite side of town there was another small section you could walk along. When we mentioned it to Louise later she was very apologetic and said she should have told us not to bother.
A couple of views from up top. This complex was being renovated, in fact I've very clumsily cloned out the massive blue crane.
The place was very touristy and I should image pretty crowded in normal times.
These lovely items for sale in a very upmarket second hand shop made for good photos.
And of course the usual tumbledown buildings undergoing renovation.
We then had THE MOST HORRENDOUS DRIVE through the outskirts of Sienna, following Google maps we must have taken a wrong turn somewhere but we didn't have a clue where we were as the satnav was slow to pinpoint us. At one point we ended up in a cul-de-sac in front of a hospital with the most massive queue outside (presumably waiting for COVID tests). What with watching out for traffic, speed limits, speed cameras, one way streets et al it was just dreadful. Goodness knows how but we managed to avoid my worst fear - finding ourselves driving around the Piazza del Campo (where the Palio is run) - and eventually got ourselves on to quieter, rural roads.
In need of a rest and recharge, we stopped and had our picnic lunch early by a little olive grove with a lovely view.
The olives are a long way from being ripe.
Suitably fortified (it's that word again!) and feeling considerably more relaxed, we drove on to San Gusmè which, as you can see, is a fortified town on the top of a hill!
With lovely views all around.
We had the place pretty much to ourselves, there was just one restaurant open serving a group of about 10.
Some buildings are just too gorgeous for words.
The detail on the buildings still fascinates me.
Everywhere we go there are lots and lots of potted plants all around the houses, most of which don't look frost hardy to me and yet on all the roads we drive there are warning signs about using snow chains in bad weather - confusing!
A couple more views as we drove down the hill.
