The Tuscan Countryside

I love weekends.  I have always loved them.  They are a time to relax, refuel and spend time with friends.  At least that's how it's always been for me back at home, school and camp.  But here in Italy, I get to add one more thing to that list, I get to explore.  I GET TO EXPLORE!!! How cool is that? So this weekend, all of the Horned Frogs went and explored Siena, San Gimignano and Volterra.  The beautiful Tuscan Countryside. 


First stop, Siena.  Siena is a remarkable Medieval town outside of Florence.  There is such history, beauty, and civic pride in Siena.  Siena is comprised of many districts all symbolized by a different animal and they take such pride in that.  Our tour guide told us that she is from the Silk Worm District and that you baptize your children into your district.  How weird, yet neat.  In the states, we don't have that kind of tradition.  Siena is also stunning.  The city was built on three hills and where all of those meet is this beautiful seashell shaped piazza, Piazza del Campo.  Also, the Siena Cathedral is breathtaking.  It is a mixture of Romanesque, Renaissance and Baroque styles, and everything is done so exquisitely.  I could spend weeks in there and never get bored.       

Next stop, San Gimignano.  I absolutely love this town.  It is small, not very touristy, has incredible towers you can climb to see the beautiful countryside and the world's best gelato.  I'm not kidding, the world's best gelato.  They've won the competition several times... they're pretty legit.  There isn't as much to do here as Siena, but it's such a beautiful place to retreat to and see God's creativity.  You get a panoramic view of the amazing vineyards surrounding the town.  Also, who doesn't love a good cup of gelato? 

And to cap off a great weekend, Volterra.  Volterra is a beautiful Etruscan style town that has been tainted by one of the worst phenomenon's ever, Twilight.  Volterra is the setting for whatever that vampire counsel thing is in New Moon.  It was funny walking around and seeing Twilight gear and New Moon flavored gelato (which was actually pretty good), but it was nice seeing that this town wasn't full of teenage girls trying to find Edward.  It is a beautiful, small, quaint town that is totes worthy of a day trip.