Siesta in Siena Slept in late and visited the Duomo, Museum dell'Opera, Baptistry, Cript and Oratorio d'San Bernardino. Pretty artwork and neat to walk all over town to get to each thing. My favorite part was the Piccolominea Library inside the Duomo that had a whole wroom of ancient chant books. I could read the music and hum a few if the chants! There were beautiful illustrations on each page of music. Very cool. Had some great views of Siena and had a panin...

Sunny Siena Made it to Siena! There are no buses to Volterra today or tomorrow, so I'll just stay an extra day in Siena before I head to Rome. Took a bus from the train station to Piazza Gramsci with the help of a local college student and then walked to Il Campo. How cool to see hundreds of people just lounging on the brick amphitheater enjoying the sunshine on a Sunday. Found the tourist information office and bought a map and got a recommendation on where to...

Frescos, Friends, Florence 18 March 2011 Went to the San Marco church and museum today and loved sitting in the interior courtyard and seeing all of the frescos by Fra Angelico and the upstairs monk living quarters. Sat and read a book on the steps of the Duomo and met up with a friend for gelato and shopping. I splurged and bought a hand made Italian leather jacket and enjoyed dinner with new friends back at the hostel. Had some version of italian tripe as ...

Green-White-Red! Happy 150 years of United Italy! Today was a national holiday in Italy. There were flags and window displays and people all dressed up in Green-White-and-Red. It was very festive! Started walking at 9 this morning and just got back to my hostel at 4:30 with no break! Whew! Went to Accadamia and found out about tickets for Saturday and then went to the Duomo that opened at 10a, so I passed the time by getting a chocolate bar from the Lindt s...

Leaning Tower of PISA Left Vernazza this morning at 7:15 and changed trains in La Spezia before landing in Pisa. Took an easy 30 minute walk to the Field of Miracles where the Leaning Tower, Cathedral, Baptistry, Museum and Cemetery are located. Climbed up the tower and was amazed at how much you can feel which side you are tipping toward even though there are only a few widows and terraces to get your bearings. The spiraling stairs are made of marble, but ...