March 15th, SIENA

Tuesday March 15^thwas our first optional day trip and we decided to visit Siena. Our first stop was in San Gimignano, truly an amazing place, filled with green beautiful landscapes and very tall towers. The name of this city comes from the Holy Bishop of Modena, St. Gimignano who is said to have saved the village from the barbarian hordes. The town increased in wealth and developed very much during the Middle Ages thanks to the "Via Francigena" the trading and pilgrim's route that crossed it. Such prosperity led to the blooming of works of art to adorn the churches and monasteries.We walked around this city for a little while and after we headed to our next stop Piazza Del Campo in Siena.

This place is one of Europe's greatest medieval squares; It is like stepping back to the middle ages. Piazza Del Campo has hosted almost all the important events in the history of the city, from the time of the Republic up until the Medici period, during which Siena came under the control of Florence. By our second stop we were all extremely exhausted of all the walking but we still had one more stop to do and this was a wine tasting at a family business where they make very popular wines. I loved the wine tasting because it was my first time and because we also learned very much about the wine making process. They explained why certain wines are more expensive than others, what it is that gives its color, where it is save, the temperature in which they have to stay and much more. After hearing all the details it made me appreciate more a glass of wine because I now understand how is made. Regardless of the awful rain that started short after we arrived to the wine tasting we really got to enjoy it and relax for a little bit. After such a long day we headed back to Florence. The night arrived and since the next day we did not have to wake up so early we decided to go out to a very nice lounge around the area. It really amazes me all the energy we had after walking all day and running in only few hours of sleep, everyone had a very good time, we all danced and shared good laughs.