Siena 2018: A Morning Walk, Siena, Italy

After the rain and thunderstorms yesterday, it was lovely to wake to sun and the promise of a fine day. I’m quite an early bird so I was out and ready to explore before 9. Siena is busy with large groups of tourists during the day as it’s a popular destination for a day trip from places like Florence. So to get out before the crowds descend is a real treat. I’d no particular plan other than to wander but first - having had just fruit and yoghurt in the B&B - I needed a coffee stop. I’d passed Caffe Fiorella near the Campo a few times and having read it served some of the best coffee in Siena, had - of course! - to try it.

It’s just a ‘hole in the wall’ place. Apart from a couple of stools it’s a stand-only setup. And because it was early I was definitely standing with locals and not tourists (though of course I am a tourist myself!).

I saw they had some of the wonderful budini di riso I discovered in Florence last year so I couldn’t resist ordering one to have with my cappuccino (€2.30 for both). They were both excellent.

Then I started wandering. First along the top edge of the Campo and up via di Citta towards the Duomo, but instead of turning into the Piazza del Duomo, I turned left instead into via S. Pietro. I eventually passed through an old city gate and found myself facing a small park. My phone told me I was in the university area. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).