Duomo, Siena

In lieu of a proper post here, I have added some new shots to my flickr set: on Siena. (If you click “Show Info” in the top-right of the slideshow, I’ve written brief guidebook-style information on each slide.)

Last time I was there was in the immediate aftermath of the Palio, in the steamy heat of August last year, won by Bruco (the Worm). By chance, my room for those few nights was in the Bruco contrada. I didn’t get much sleep. On the plus side, my room was bang opposite a gelateria that I might never have found otherwise: Kopa Kabana, on Via de’ Rossi. I suggest you stop by next time you’re in town; the panpepato flavour, based on the traditional Sienese sticky honey, nutty, peppery cake, is spectacular.

There’s much more help with planning a visit to Todi on the comune tourism page (in English). The tourist office is on 075/8945416.

This website combines Google Maps and 360 degree panoramic photography to give you a real sense of being in 15 different spots across the region. There’s even a bit of Umbria – Perugia and Assisi – thrown in for good measure.

I especially love this internal panorama of the Basilica di San Miniato al Monte, in Florence. The Romanesque basilica, just uphill from Piazzale Michelangelo (see the book, p. 61), is one of the few city spots you can find a bit of peace, even in high season. On p. 63 of the book we recommend a family Oltrarno walk, from the Giardino di Boboli, that’ll guide you all there.

Okay, so a bit of surfing doesn’t quite match basking under a Tuscan sun for yourself. But, from my desk in East London, it’s as close as I’m getting for now. Alas.

This week: Livorno (p. 139-142) in brief, port city, home of cacciucco, and untypical Tuscany hangout.