Sadly it was time to bid farewell to Florence this morning as we began the journey south to Italy's historic capital city, Rome
We had two important stops scheduled for today - the Tuscan city of Siena & the Umbrian hill-town of Assisi.
In Sienna we made a walking tour from our bus parking to the 'Campo' in the heart of the city, discovering the backstreets, seeing the huge San Domenico church & 'Duomo', & enjoying fantastic views of the city's preserved medieval skyline along the way.
We also saw preparations for the 'Palio', the historic horse race between the city's rival 'contrabass' or neighborhoods that will be taking place in just a couple of days around the main square.
There was free time for lunch & for shopping or sightseeing - including for some to climb one of the city's towers for spectacular views. And of course there is always time for gelato!
Later in the day we also stopped in the picturesque hill-town of Assisi in neighboring Umbria. Assisi is famous as the home town of St. Francis & is home to a beautiful basilica in his honor, its walls lined with priceless frescoes by artists including Giotto, Cimabue, & others. We had time to visit the basilica, then to explore the village itself which is beautiful & spotlessly clean, built in the local pink & honey-colored stone.
Finally, at the end of a long day of traveling & sightseeing, we arrived in Rome. We checked-in to our last hotel then walked to dinner nearby.
Tomorrow: The Centro Storico & the Vatican!
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