Another Fleeting Trip to Florence

Siena and Tuscan Flat Breads.  We could not resist returning to Florence in such a short space of time as there were too many things that we had not seen or done during the last trip. The city is truly magical and magnetic, it was calling us back so how could we resist.

We flew over the crisp white Alps and into Bologna in the far northern terriorty of Italy. When we arrived the air was particularly cold and we were told this was due to it coming from Russia. It certainly felt very Siberan. The skies were a shade of mediterranean blue and we basked in the bright sunshine, so bright that it made you squint. Taking the Marconi train from the airport to the main station, the little automated monorail twisted and turned like a bob sleigh leaning on its tracks and catipulted us to our destination at Bologna Centrale. We grabbed a macchiato in the station, it was the perfect pick me up. The Frecciarossa, or Red Arrow, so called because it is one of Italy's fast trains comparable with a Bullet train, took us through the many mountain tunnels and into Florence in just over 30 minutes.

Early on Saturday morning we travelled to the Tuscan town of Siena. Just over an hour by bus up through the Tuscan hills. We had been told that it was a beautiful place, and it was, with its pastel grey toned shutters, apricot, ochre and pale pink coloured walls it was breath taking. People chattered and their voices were carried through the streets which lead us to the Palio de Siena, an impressive palazzo [square] surrounded by restaurants and cafes and filled with more chattering people and pigeons waiting for a morsel. Every year a horse race is held here with the locals standing in the middle of the palazzo while the horses race around the edge in a circle, it is quite a spectacle.

In Siena we came across many Tuscan flat breads used in sandwiches and pizza. We found the Schiacciata to be particularly good and it is a type of focaccia style flat bread with a crispy pork scratching type top seasoned with salt. When topped with fresh San Marzano tomatoes, rocket and Pecorino cheese it makes a deliciously fresh and light snack accompanied by iced peach tea.

We look forward to our next adventure in Italy.