(D) Stunning Siena, it's just beautiful! We thoroughly enjoyed our evening on our terrace after dinner last night and it's good we did that last night as today there has been a biting wind and it's much cooler all around. Liane looked at the phone weather app earlier and it said it was "5 feels like minus 1" but the wind through my bones felt like way more minus than that.
 
Wind walking as a sport notwithstanding, we still loved wandering around Siena today. We got a little lost at one stage, as is our usual want, but we did make our way up to the Duomo only to find that it didn't open until 10.30. As we had an hour to go we made our way back down to the Square to find some hot chocolate to warm us up.

We popped into the Torre del Mangia as Carlie had recommended the view but given it cost €20 and not liking heights I knew I may well chicken out half way .... or a quarter way..... or before I even started....anyway I told Liane to go ahead but she decided hot chocolate definitely had priority so we gave it a miss this time. That decision made we picked a likely looking place and noted that on the menu displayed outside the hot chocolates (cioccolato calda) were €5 each. Making our way inside though, given we wanted to get out of the wind, we noticed the price was now €3 - so you pay for the view, fair enough too I reckon. No doubt the rents are pretty exorbitant in such prime locations and they have to make it somehow!

Once more we braved the wind-tunnel lanes up to the Duomo only to wait and wait for them to open, just a few minutes past time but it felt like longer out in the cold. The ridiculous thing is that, as it had been so lovely and crisp but not cold yesterday, neither of us were really dressed appropriately. I had taken my snood at the last minute and my light jacket but not a thick scarf and cardigan and Liane had just worn leggins as opposed to jeans etc etc. Always the way!

As we bought the tickets the lady said that the next tour time was 11am and to be at the meeting point in the main Cathedral so we headed over there to look around whilst waiting. It is truly a beautiful and amazing building, everywhere you look there is more to see; just awe inspiring. There was some tours going on so we just looked around and took photos (of course!) whilst keeping out of their way and not trying to eavesdrop as we had our own tour to come. When the time came we made our way back to the meeting area and our tour began.... but wait, why are we going through this little side doorway out of the Cathedral? And why are we going up a very narrow, winding marble staircase (more like a "stepcase" really!), and up and round, and up and round? I started to get a rather bad feeling and sure enough it turned out our tour was not of the inside of the building but of the Dome itself, both internal and external views..... Now have I mentioned I HATE heights???!!
 
I can't begin to describe the experience; it was just awful! I'm looking forward to seeing Liane's photos as honestly I looked at nothing - my entire concentration was focused on gathering every iota of self control I possess to refrain from having a full blown screaming panic attack. I felt incredible vertigo, my balance was completely shot to pieces and I just concentrated on staying as close to solid walls as I could whilst praying for it to end.

My torture over we went and had a delightful pizza late lunch at an outside sunny table, wind protected with perspex glass barriers on the square and then made our way back home to the Minerva where we enjoyed a lovely lazy afternoon emailing, looking at photos etc.

Given we are packing up and having a driving day tomorrow as we travel to our next destination of Orvieto, neither of us really felt like going out for dinner but of course one has to eat. We are really looking forward to getting back to self catering as it's so nice to be able to just steam some veges, make a quick soup etc. As it is we are both craving salads and vegetables after having 6 days/nights of hotel stays which means eating in restaurants constantly. So tonight as we reluctantly walked up the hill we were contemplating choosing a restaurant and then choosing a pasta/pizza dinner when we both really felt like salad but we have found them surprisingly difficult to find.... and lo and behold we spotted a kebab shop! Two felafel kebabs, with OMG lots of salad, later and we are two happy ladies!

(L) We did manage a little sleep in.... woke just before 7 and were downstairs in the breakfast room by 7.30. We had originally booked this rooms @ Hotel Minerva for €69 including breakfast but had upgraded to our lovely terrace for only €10 extra per night, parking is an extra €12 per night but still only brings room rate to €91 per night. 

Breakfast was the usual spread of bread, pastries, cereal, yoghurt etc so we managed to find something to start the day off. Both of us have commented on numerous occasions that we haven't eaten so many carbs for years.... feeling it in the waist that's for sure!

The day consisted of wandering around in the freezing wind taking copious amounts of photos. I found the Duomo tour extremely interesting and thoroughly enjoyed it.... poor Deb!! There was no mention of steep spiral staircases or very thin walkways suspended high in the air, we were a little surprised that there was no warning of what was to come. 

Tomorrow we leave Siena and head to Orvieto.... with a few photo op stops along the way. Let's hope Jane knows her way around Tuscany or we could end up back in Firenze!!