Dante wrote of Monteriggioni, “Monteriggioni crowns itself with towers.” Standing beneath those medieval walls, we reflected on a Tuscany shaped by centuries of conflict, sacrifice, and survival.
We stayed in a restored agritourism home surrounded by olive groves, where Simone and Laura welcomed us with homemade cake, family wine, and fresh olive oil. Their warmth reminded us that some of the richest experiences in travel come through simple hospitality and genuine human connection.
By chance, the Monteriggioni Medieval Festival was underway, bringing the town’s history vividly to life through music, artisans, dancers, and jousting knights.
In Siena, we explored the magnificent Piazza del Campo and learned from Taylor Thigpen about the city’s 17 historic Contrade, whose identities and rivalries still shape the Palio horse race.
Tuscany showed us how memory, tradition, and community can connect generations across centuries