Siena...beautiful but full of tourists. Five of us left papa reading his kindle in the Umbrian villa and made the 2 hour journey to the picturesque Tuscan town of Siena. After struggling to find a carpark, we eventually made our way on foot from the sports stadium where we left our car, into the heart of the old city. Unable to curb their shopping enthusiasm, mum and Rosie almost immediately lagged behind, as their eyes fixed on leather goods and designer fashions displayed in the shop windows we passed. Ditching these shopaholics, Dale, Selwyn and I walked to the main 'campo' where the famous annual horse race is held. (A 'D' shaped square surrounded by impressive brick buildings.). From there we headed to the striking black and white striped Duomo. A spectacularly decorated cathedral for what is now a relatively small Italian town. At the time the cathedral was built, Siena vied with Florence for the position as most influential city in the region. Florence might have won that contest, but Siena's cathedral gets my vote as the more impressive cathedral.

Inside the cathedral black, white and rose coloured marbles had been cleverly used to create floors depicting elegant biblical scenes. Overhead, the navy blue ceiling was scattered with golden stars, and around the edges the faces of numerous Popes stared down at us from carefully carved heads. The black and white stripe theme was continued in the multitude of pillars and the intricate carvings of the interior were just as magnificent as those on the exterior.

Dale, Selwyn and I met up with the happy shoppers for lunch in a side street osteria. The pasta was delicious, although mum's broccoli and chilli pasta was over spiced and set the mouth ablaze! The restaurant was a popular spot and soon we could see people queuing for tables. Locals arrived with their dogs and leather hand/man bags, tourists arrived with their shopping bags and guidebooks. The Italians were neatly dressed, with fitted suits and effortlessly arranged scarves, while the tourists were in cargo pants, sloganed t-shirts, and sneakers. I jealously watched the sultry Italians ordering brightly coloured aperitifs in their melodic language, and hoped that they wouldn't mistake me for an American as I ordered bottled water.

After lunch we had time to wander the winding streets admiring shop windows full of amazing food products - biscotti, pasta of every shape imaginable, and cured meats - as well as fashion, souvenirs, and coffee machines! We were also lured into one of the many gelato shops. The selection ranged from banana to tiramisu - Dale and I shared pistachio, although the ice-cream-thief Dale got the lion's share of that! Sidestepping lorries and skirting around tour groups, it was a relief to get out of the bustling city and get back onto the open road, heading for the Montone villa.