Paris, Avignon, Nice, Florence, and Siena

Paris was brief.

Avignon was beautiful and peaceful. I slept a lot there, felt at home, even bought a top.

We had an hour layover in Nice and we ran off the train, found a restaurant, gobbled and ran back with only 5 minutes to spare before getting in our Italian sleeper car train. That meal continues to win as the best meal so far. Nice was very rewarding.

The train ride last night to Florence was not very sleepy. We were a bit bleary-eyed today.

This morning we arrived in Florence with a 40 minute layover. Marissa took me on a whirlwind tour of some amazingly beautiful duomos and buildings. We were back with 5 minutes to spare for the 1.5 hour train ride to Siena.

Siena, where we are now, is delightful. The hostel we are staying at is perfect and elegant - Residence Paradiso on Via del Paradiso. We walked past it at first- so nondescript at street level. Our room, on the 4th floor (stairs only) is large and has a lovely view. The kitchen on the other side of the hall has a balcony with a lovely view. We will eat our breakfast there in the morning.

Siena is mostly for walking. Paving stones on the streets, gorgeous ornate churches, duomos, and basilicas to be stumbled upon everywhere. We love this city. Sorry to be leaving tomorrow, but maybe we will come back early.

Marissa is our photographer. Pictures to be added later.

Tomorrow, Grosseto.