Siena, Italy April 24-26, 2009

The train ride to Siena was relatively short from Rome. We changed trains in Chiusi so we did not go all the way into Florence. We had just enough time to grab some lunch and use the facilities and we were on our journey again. The train station in Siena was away from the center of town so we took a very full bus to city center. We didn't have a map in the beginning so it was a little hard to follow the small guide in our travel book trying to locate our intended destination. Eventually we made our way to the Alma Domus, the previous convent of St. Catherine of Siena in the 1300's. It is now a simple hotel ran by the nuns. Siena was such a contrast to the hustle and bustle of Rome. We loved the quiet, calm pace of this town. The songs of the birds in the morning were refreshing to our ears. It was fun to explore the plazas and churches. We also enjoyed the treats (ice cream and panforte) and cuisine (pizza and calzone) of this proud, historical, medieval city.