Orvieto, Montepulciano, Siena & Greve in Chianti
Our trip took us to Orvieto next - next meaning the same afternoon we left Bagnoregio. Yes, it may sound like a bit of a hassle, but it wasn't. We are not the bucket list types and if we feel it's better to leave some places out (even though we were "supposed" to go there) we just leave them out.
Orvieto - unexpectedly large Duomo, lovely village. Lived and learned (or so we thought), we had better parked the car in the first parking lot we had seen. I was asked if it wasn't too far but being the pro at cartography I said no and then we had to walk for 15 minutes (uphill :D) to get to the centre (the things you do for love, right? Such as, not killing the other one for this :D). When we saw the Duomo, we could not believe our eyes and that's because:
1) it's enormous (yop, that's what she said :D) - we did not go in, we (using we hoping that Telchac agrees with me) can't really appreciate neither the architectural nor the religious value of the churches, so outside view was just perfect for us.
2) it's amazing, the front is just unbelievable, I can't imagine all the carvings (are they?) and decorating, it's bananas
3) the sides are totally different than the facade, it's like they just attached the facade to the rest and with the Italian "non c'e problema" left it as was (and is) :D
Montepulciano - same story - little, cute and lovely. Why go there? The narrow streets, the view, but most importantly, Nobile di Montepulciano - their signature wine (Telchac did not like it as much as I did, he's more of a smoky barrique type; this was fruitier but a bit heavy too - I did like it, on the other hand).
Here's a typical street in Orvieto (left) and Montepulciano (right) with typically Italian means of transport - smallest car and vespa.
Useful tip: if you have only cabin baggage or you do not want to bother with the bottles, find the wine shop that offers (free) shipping to your country. I was surprised how many of them offered this.
Siena - there were lots of people! and I mean lots! Considering we only visited small villages the day before that, the crowd was a little bit too much for us. Nevertheless - it's amazing that the centre is up on the top of a hill (I would not try walking there, there are parking lots right behind the rampart). It's also surprising that the main square is not even, it goes up and down - how do those poor horses run there during the Palio? If you watch any Palio clip before going there, you can easily imagine people packed on the balconies and in the windows watching the race.
Useful tip: if you want to have breakfast like Italians do, find a Bar where you can have cornetto, coffee and go on. I bet you'll be the only tourists there. And don't forget to try Panforte di Siena - it's delicious!!!
Greve in Chianti - yes, we went there to "unwined" ;) as Chianti is exactly what I meant when I mentioned smoky barrique wines. And yes, we left with four bottles - as we could not take more because of the cabin luggage size suitcases we came with.
Useful tip: if your flight ticket rate includes checked baggage, do take a bigger suitcase and just check it in. You'll be glad you have the space and the possibility to check it in on your way back.
There's the main square with the restaurants, cafes, pasticcerias and so on but as we preferred more local experience we chose small winery in the street next to the square. It was just perfect sitting there, enjoying Chianti, enjoying the weather but most importantly, enjoying each other.
So far, so good (and so drunk) overall. One more good thing about road tripping this region? You get to see the amazing, postcard-like views even sitting in the car. Last stop of our trip - Firenze - CU there!
Orvieto - unexpectedly large Duomo, lovely village. Lived and learned (or so we thought), we had better parked the car in the first parking lot we had seen. I was asked if it wasn't too far but being the pro at cartography I said no and then we had to walk for 15 minutes (uphill :D) to get to the centre (the things you do for love, right? Such as, not killing the other one for this :D). When we saw the Duomo, we could not believe our eyes and that's because:
1) it's enormous (yop, that's what she said :D) - we did not go in, we (using we hoping that Telchac agrees with me) can't really appreciate neither the architectural nor the religious value of the churches, so outside view was just perfect for us.
2) it's amazing, the front is just unbelievable, I can't imagine all the carvings (are they?) and decorating, it's bananas
3) the sides are totally different than the facade, it's like they just attached the facade to the rest and with the Italian "non c'e problema" left it as was (and is) :D
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Here's a typical street in Orvieto (left) and Montepulciano (right) with typically Italian means of transport - smallest car and vespa.
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Useful tip: if you have only cabin baggage or you do not want to bother with the bottles, find the wine shop that offers (free) shipping to your country. I was surprised how many of them offered this.
Siena - there were lots of people! and I mean lots! Considering we only visited small villages the day before that, the crowd was a little bit too much for us. Nevertheless - it's amazing that the centre is up on the top of a hill (I would not try walking there, there are parking lots right behind the rampart). It's also surprising that the main square is not even, it goes up and down - how do those poor horses run there during the Palio? If you watch any Palio clip before going there, you can easily imagine people packed on the balconies and in the windows watching the race.
 |  |
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Greve in Chianti - yes, we went there to "unwined" ;) as Chianti is exactly what I meant when I mentioned smoky barrique wines. And yes, we left with four bottles - as we could not take more because of the cabin luggage size suitcases we came with.
Useful tip: if your flight ticket rate includes checked baggage, do take a bigger suitcase and just check it in. You'll be glad you have the space and the possibility to check it in on your way back.
There's the main square with the restaurants, cafes, pasticcerias and so on but as we preferred more local experience we chose small winery in the street next to the square. It was just perfect sitting there, enjoying Chianti, enjoying the weather but most importantly, enjoying each other.
So far, so good (and so drunk) overall. One more good thing about road tripping this region? You get to see the amazing, postcard-like views even sitting in the car. Last stop of our trip - Firenze - CU there!