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Day 13
- Our last day to make the most of it. And we weren't
disappointed. The highlight of course was riding down the winding,
cypress lined road that is on all postcards, pictures, maps etc.
Mileage 80 km |
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Last chance to capture the essence of this area.
The ploughed fields with huge
dirt clumps were certainly typical of this area and time of year. |
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And the cypress lined roads. |
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A shot of the road up to Pienza taken in the summer. |
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Last chance to buy cheese and goodies to take home. |
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This shot is looking back from Pienza to Mt. Amiata, tallest peak in the
distance.
What a climb. |
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Next stop, Montepulciano. |
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Montepulciana on the hill in distance. |
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Aerial view of Montepulciano. |
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Montepulciano
The highest of the Tuscan hill towns, Montepulciano is built
along a narrow tufa ridge, with a long main street and alleys that drop
away to the walls. Montepulciano ws reputedly founded in the sixth century
by a group of exiles from Chiusi fleeing the barbarian invasions. A
constant point of dispute between Florence and Siena, the town chose
Florence as its protector in 1202 - on the grounds hat it was farther
away. Both cities captured and lost the city several times over the next
two hundred years. In 1511 the Florentines assumed control for good.
Largely forgotten in subsequent centuries, the town is wealthy today from
its wind industry, base on the famed Vino Nobile.
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The Piazza Grande is built on the highest point of the ridge,
providing the obvious sie for the town's duomo. It's most distinctive
building, however, is the Palazzo Comunale, a thirteenth-century
Gothic palace to which Michelozzo added a tower and rustication in
imitation of the Palazzo Vecchio in florence. |
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Looking west with Pienza just visible in the horizon. |
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We were too late for the wine tasting as it was lunch time, but we did
manage a quick tour of the wine cellar. |
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Myrna takes advantage of the shade. |
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Last day for gelato. |
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After leaving Montepulciano we're now off to Monticchiello where
the famous road is. Below is a shot of the town as we approach it. |
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Here's Roy on the start of a very fast and exhilarating ride down
the tree lined street we'd all been waiting for. It wasn't disappointing. |
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You can just make Roy out on the final corner on the left side.
He was
giving the Alfa Romeo's a run for their money. |
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There was a German film crew taking pictures of these 6 Alfa Romeo's
driving up and down the road. |
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What it looks like in summer. |
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A side shot of the road. |
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Monticchiello
A walled village with a leaning watch tower, lovely views of
Pienza and a great church housing numerous fourteenth-century Sienese
frescoes. |
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This old fashioned
shop sells some of the most beautiful fabrics imaginable. They're all made
by hand locally, and are exported - quietly - to all corners of the globe. |
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View from inside the church in the picture to the left. |
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Last chance for gelato! |
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Our route home. |
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Punto Bici came to pick up the bikes.
Most of us bought a shirt as a great
souvenir and reminder of a fabulous trip. |
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Next: The Feast - Le Checche put on an amazing feast
for us on our last night. |
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