Siena, Pisa and a Renaissance Banquet

Arrivederci Roma! We left Rome early in the morning to depart on our journey to Florence via Siena and Pisa. Our bus driver Luca, led us through a maze of Roman streets before it became rural. The Tuscany countryside is very attractive with green rolling hills, farmland and medieval walled mountaintop towns. We had our first stop in Siena, a medieval city that keeps its original character in the centre of town. No tourist buses or cars are allowed to move around the narrow twisting cobblestone streets with little shops with wonderful shop front displays. It's cathedral and campanile tower are amazing attractions.

Here are a few photos of the beautiful town of Siena!

 

 

 

We travelled onto Pisa to see the Cathedral, Baptistry and, of course, the leaning Tower of Pisa. We were lucky to have tickets so we could climb to the top to see the amazing view over Pisa and the Field of Miracles. Most of the students climbed to the very top as did a number of adults including Mr Watson, Mrs Hollis, Mrs Platt and Mrs Melville who had shaky legs after the decline.

On the top of the Leaning Tower of Pisa

Late in the afternoon we arrived in Florence and had to drag our bags over 2 kilometres after our bus driver dropped us at the river! Buses are not allowed in the heart of Florence but you would think the bus driver would have the heart to drop us where we were supposed to been dropped.

 

We celebrated our first night in Florence at the Palazzo Borghese experiencing a Renaissance banquet dinner and entertainment. The palazzo was immense and highly adorned with Renaissance paintings on the walls and ceilings and sculptures. Everyone had a chance to participate in the fun and games and all students have a memento photograph of the occasion.

 

Happy 18th Birthday Sinead from everyone on the art tour and, of course, Evie!