Today we are travelling from Arezzo to Siena and taking the LONG way there! If we took the local highway it would take just over an hour. The route that I have planned will take just under 4 hours, without stops. First we left Arezzo and drove south to Lake Trasimeno, which is the 4th largest lake in Italy. It was a beautiful drive through lots of tiny towns and also behind farm equipment at times! When we arrived, we parked on the lakefront and went for a stroll to stretch our legs and get a drink. It is a gorgeous location with a church up high looking over the lake on the west side. Unfortunately the church had a zillon steps up to it so we were not able to go inside. Then we continued on our way to Montepulciano which is a walled city that is highly written up as a place to see, again on the top of a hill. Our Lonely Planet guide to Italy says the walk into the city is a “calf and quad stretcher” and it was right – that is some uphill climb! Luckily we found an accessible parking spot right next to the gate so we were 1/4 of the way up the hill. What I did NOT know was we could have asked for permission to drive into the city as there were many more accessible parking spots within the walled city too – no regular parking, just accessible parking. We had a slow, uphill climb and what a beautiful view of the surrounding area! About 3/4 of the way up I had to call it quits as I needed my energy for the next day when we were visiting Firenze (Florence) and I needed to stay up tonight. So down, down, down we walked! The HIGHLIGHT of the walk down is there was a natural gelato store and it had gluten free gelato! So after cooling down and some light shopping, we were off to Siena. Again, a beautiful drive into Siena and we eventually found our hotel for the next 2 days – which was the Four Points Siena – a stones throw from the Siena Hospital which also has a Celiac Disease centre! I did not know that until we got there… ALSO, it was ACCESSIBLE – no stairs for me to deal with – even a ramped area to get to the hotel! We were upgraded to a suite which was nice as Andrew could go into the sitting room while I was busy putting on my presentation for the Canadian Celiac Association that night. We had dinner at the hotel and it was also fantastic and the GF buns that they served were big and fluffy! I was in heaven yet again….
Sign indicating they have GF Items GF Breakfast pastriesBreakfast roomPizza place from night beforeItalian Toys R UsCruising through small townsHouse on the hill…Cruising small town…And another town!Green fields with vineyardsOlive grovesDriving through Town of Il MattoDriving through Town of Il MattoDriving through Town of Il MattoDriving through Town of Il MattoCountry roads and passing cars…Another town!They all are staring to look the same….What is the hold up?Farm equipment commuting…Another tractor going to market…A castle up high!Roadside villaPizza anyone?Local winery and their grapesWinery operation centreSome more olive trees!Recently cut grass field (not hay)Andrew reads these signs as GO FAST!More old structures up high on a hill…Driving through CortonaDriving through CortonaSnow sign when it is 28 degrees out!Another small town along our wayAnd another…Beautiful straight road… no speeding!Abandoned housePoppy fields are everywhere!Another abandoned houseCute Italian house with gardenMowed fields waiting to be rolled upOh, a traffic circle! Andrew can go FAST!!!Driving into Lago TrasimenoBeautiful church on hill – not accessible!Walked along lake to stretch our legs…Kid and mother playing with rocks and skipping themSculpture of something…Bird brained meeting…View of lakeshoreMore artworkClose up!Sign I really liked!Where we went for refreshments – accessible!Nothing like a cold Coke Zero!Leaving town now…All through Italy – this is a McD’s type sign!Home and gardenLeaving town now…So many beautiful green fields…So many beautiful green fields…Italian houses along the way…Italian houses along the way…Italian houses along the way…Out in the country for a drive!Estate living!More green fields!Local train going byAnother EstateHill town – very popular location!Driving through Chiusi…ChiusiChiusiOut in the country again!Out in the country again!MonasteryJust cut and dried fieldsAnother EstateAnother town…The ‘hood!Artwork on their wall – it was really good!More driving in the countryHouse in the countryHome based VineyardYes at times these are small roads!Large VineyardView climbing to MontepulcianoMontepulcianoMontepulcianoMontepulcianoOur car at the gate for MontepulcianoBeautiful roses growing by side of gateBeautiful roses growing by side of gateMain street in MontepulcianoIt is an uphill climb!Local catholic churchAnd more uphill!Architecture in this very old cityLocal eateryNarrow lanes between buildingsCar park on right for residentsAccessible parking (I could have gotten a permit)Another narrow lanewayLocal news postedHow that car got up there – no idea but backing up?Still climbing!When you walk up, you must come down…Even with only one brake!Glad it is flatter now!Another small road drive…Behind Montepulciano we found…Another church!Wall around the churchRoad leading to the church…we are leaving!View from up high towards SienaEntering town of SinalungaTown of SinalungaMORE Grape vines…Some very tall trees!What can I say – we are in Tuscany!Entering Siena – our destination for next 2 days!Our hotel is eluding us!Our hotel is in a residential area!’My favourite kind of salad…Wahoo! GF Pasta for dinner!Panacotta Italian style – with chocolate on top!
