Evening in Siena

Before booking this hotel Thibault asked if I didn't mind a half hour plus walk into the centre of the Siena. I didn't, and am grateful for that as I really liked out out of town modern hotel - the Hotel Executive. 

Having settled in briefly we headed out to the centre of town, managing to navigate over what felt like a ring road, to reach the city walls guarded bu Romulus & Remus statues

I was last in Siena over 20 years ago, so couldn't remember much about it beyond that I liked it and the cathedral was impressive. Indeed I have a photo of it on my living room wall. I had forgotten quite how hilly it was. But the cathedral was certainly impressive. We were too late to get tickets to actually go in, so bought them for the next day and contented ourselves with wandering around the outsides of the buildings.

The cathedral is not actually on the main square, which is the magnificent Piazza del Campo.

We decided tonight we would have an aperitif in a wine bar before dinner. And were tempted by a plate of seafood cold cuts to accompany our wine. You can see why.

For dinner, Thibault found us a small restaurant in a really unpromising spot next to a car park. But it was probably the best meal of our holiday. Certainly the most interesting. The cuisine was Italian-Japanese fusion - a Japanese chef that had emigrated to Italy. The food tasted as good as it looks, and it looks wonderful doesn't it? We went for a tasting menu with accompanying wines.

Zen decor