After a leisurely start to my day, complete with a good breakfast, I made my way from Colle di Val d'Elsa to Siena. Most of the 28 km walk was on trails through the wooded hills and unpaved roads. In the latter part of the afternoon, I met several people who had been picking mushrooms in the forest ( Read more... )

From the information plaque at the entrance: This building, in all probability dating back to the 14th century, has certain features which are difficult to interpret stylistically. Its name derives from the spiral staircase contained inside the unusual cylindrical tower rising on the eastern side. The castle is composed of stone stronghold towers, ( Read more... )

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Yesterday morning I was awake and captured this image from the window of the Augustinian monastery in San Gimignano. http://flic.kr/p/q4RKy2

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According to this signpost, I have another ten days or so before I arrive at St Peter's in Rome! http://flic.kr/p/qjDkBc

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Today I completed the first 800 kms of ‎my pilgrimage to Jerusalem. For up-to-date stats, don't forget to check my Daily Stages page!
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I'm unsure how interesting a day-by-day recounting of places I've slept and distances‎ I've covered is to the folks who read these posts. I've created a separate page on my blog for the stats, so perhaps for this update I'll summarize and mention some of the memorable people, places, and sights ( Read more... )

Yesterday I mentioned cooking dinner. The parish hostel in Valpromaro is an entire house, with a complete‎ kitchen (plus washing machine). All the pots, pans, plates, utensils, and glasses were provided.  Even basic staples such as pasta (multiple types), bread, flour, sugar, olive oil, tomato paste, milk, juice, jam, tea, coffee (and several sizes ( Read more... )

On the 22 of December 1858, Giacomo Puccini was born in this house. It's a museum now. :) http://flic.kr/p/q2bhtv

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