P2 Stage 26 Siena to Buonconvento 32 km

We enjoyed Siena immensely, touring the Duomo early in the morning before the crowds, pausing for some time to enjoy Michelangelo’s sculpture of St Paul set without fanfare or announcement by one of the side altars. The Duomo is spectacular, a testament to the engineering and artistic prowess of 12th century Sienese. We then retired to the Campo for a lunch under misting umbrellas to watch the Contrada practices in preparation for the Palio July 2. It is all taken so seriously.

We left Siena very early because of the long walk and to beat the heat later in the day. The second goal remained illusive. This is such a beautiful part of the country but the long white roads up and down the ridges through the vines offer no shade. We were thankful for the scirocco blowing from the south.

Buonconvento is a small town tucked into Brunello country. Only a couple of thousand people but the museum houses Duccio and Lorenzetti paintings that, unfortunately, we were not able to see because the museum was closed when we arrived and left.