Panoramic Hotel Montepulciano

For the last couple weeks my Italian culture class has been on and off again because my professor was hospitalized with pneumonia. This week she finally resumed lectures, however we are in a different class room that is literally right across from her apartment so she doesn't have to walk a long way in the cold. And it is getting really cold in Siena right now.

This, unfortunately, means ...

... centaines de grottes qui se trouve sous la ville. Ces grottes auraient ete creuse au tout debut, quelques 800 ans avant jesus. Puis elle n'aurait pas ete reutilise jusque dans les annes 1300 ou elles ont ete decouverte. depuis, les gens on commencer a les agrandir , tellement que cela a mis la stabilite de la ville au-dessus en danger. alors maintenant il y a des pilliers dans certaines grottes pour soutenir la ville.

... alone weren’t enough of a draw, the cathedral’s high archways and spectacular dome are supported by really interesting, black-and-white-striped marbled columns that were knock-your-socks-off striking and very unique to any other cathedral we’ve seen. (I likened the interior to “elegant Dr. Suess,” although I’m not yet sure that works!). Also, through a door on the north side, we toured the church’s hidden ...

Arezzo, la ville qui a suposement inspirer michelange !! 500 ans plus tard, on se deman de bien ce qui a pu l'inspirer! Puis c'est roberto bellini qui a fait son fillm "la vita est bella" dans les cantons a l'extrerieur des murs de la ville. C'est vrai que ...

... un prix pour s'assoir a une table! ici c'etait 2 euro par personne! mais sa en valais la peine, les bruchettas., les gnocchis et l'osso buco etaient tous delicieux.

ensuite, la piazza del campo ou il y a un gros chateau avec une tour tres haute, pui une visite a la piazza du duomo pour y voir la seul eglise completement baroque ...

... was out for their evening passeo - walk. The gelateria's and cafes were overflowing with people. I spied a deli with a spit raosted pig lying on display in the window and got the best pork sandwich ever!!! Too late to go on we decided to park up. We had accidentially drained our leisure battery so Kim had to cook by torch but the torch battery was running out..so no other choice, we headed for a bar! Life's tough.

... races that take place on July 2 and August 16th. The winning contrade of these two races then has bragging rights for the entire year. They are allowed to display their flags all year-round and throw huge parties. As you'll probably see from one of my photos oftentimes members of the contrada march around Siena in their traditional, medieval contrada-garb (Robin Hood: Men in Tights comes to mind for a description) banging drums and waving their flags.

Anyway, after a little ...

... a strategic spot perched on high ground with commanding views of the surrounds. Usually some sort of fortress or castle was built, often still standing. Impressive walls were built usually with protection in mind, but now simply enhance the old world charm with their crenolations and archers slits. Elaborate cathedrals or duomos were built wherever excess wealth existed. Urban planning was luckily centuries away so now winding random alleys meander through houses and ...

... he says he's outside but we don't see anyone outside. I think to myself...this really looks like an apartment not a villa...weird. Dare I say a word after yesterday's lodging episode? Mmmm...Mario we are standing outside here...and you still can't see us? To make a long story short we are at the villa's caretaker's house - NOT the villa. Mario says in clear English 'stay there - I will come and get you ...