Day 1 contd...

Volterra was stunningly beautiful, we wandered the little cobbled streets, watched the crowds gathering for a bike race, and ate a delicious lunch at Ristorante Etruria in the main Piazza, before returning to the car and continuing on our journey on the S68, which turned out to be one of the most incredibly beautiful scenic drives.
We drove through Colle di Val d Elsa  in the province of Siena, which was another picturesque hill town originating from the 11th century.  The town is renowned for its production of crystal glassware and art, now produced mainly in the lower industrial area of Colle. We would have loved to stop and explore, but we both wanted to get to our destination before dark, and time was marching on.
Angie and I were already beginning to realize that 5 days was not going to be nearly long enough for us to explore these lovely historic towns and villages.
Monteriggioni was the next village on our route. The massive surrounding walls reinforced by fourteen square towers is a breathtaking sight.  The village is on the Via Francigena  pilgrimage route, and was originally a walled castle before becoming a free municipality.  Almost all of the buildings within the walls are original, with some slight alterations to accommodate gift shops, wine shops, hotels and restaurants, the village exists today almost entirely for tourists and pilgrims.  Visitors are not allowed to drive into the walled city, but there are ample parking areas outside the walls.

Without too much ado we found our hotel for the night, just outside Siena,  Villa Montarioso  which we were told was originally a Convent.  The rooms were very basic to say the least, but they were immaculately clean, and fitted with beautiful marble bathrooms.

                                           Angie and Heather outside the Villa Montarioso