36 Comments
Oct 22Liked by jodi {fiftybeautifulthings}

Love to read you. Bravissima

Expand full comment
Oct 18Liked by jodi {fiftybeautifulthings}

"since I’ve arrived in Siena I’ve been eating ricciarelli like it’s my job." as always I am transported by your writing and align with the above with every ounce of my soul.

Expand full comment
author

Lol! Oh, if only it was a job...

Expand full comment
Oct 16Liked by jodi {fiftybeautifulthings}

What a beautiful piece! love how you’ve truly embedded yourself in the atmosphere and history of Tuscany— as a reader I felt that you drew me into the landscape so easily. Thank you for sharing. If you’re ever traveling and looking for that same sense of connection and rootedness, u should look into https://www.gokommu.com for more local and immersive stays :)

Expand full comment
Oct 14Liked by jodi {fiftybeautifulthings}

You are such a talented person and love the unusual facts you share. Thanks !

Expand full comment
author

What a lovely thing to say - thank you so much!!

Expand full comment
Oct 14Liked by jodi {fiftybeautifulthings}

I have fallen behind on my reading, but I've been saving Tuscany for when I could give your piece my full attention, and I wasn't disappointed! I always feel as if I am right there with you as you so artfully describe your experience and what you see, taste and feel about your location! Tuscany seems to hold all the magic that has inspired so many wonderful stories about the district. Very enjoyable read!

Expand full comment
author

Thank you Jim, it's so nice of you to say that - it's exactly what I'm trying to do when I write.

I'm still a tiny bit mystified by the workings of Medium, but I never miss your essays - and I aspire to be just a fraction as wise as you are one day!

Expand full comment

I’ll be in Siena this week and in the spirit of culinary research will try to go to Nannini and find out what your favorite pastry was. Someone’s gotta do it!

Expand full comment
author

Amazing! Thank you so much! 🧡

Expand full comment
Oct 12Liked by jodi {fiftybeautifulthings}

I whiled away an afternoon in Cortona once. Such an atmospheric place! Like being transported back to the C15.

Expand full comment
Oct 12Liked by jodi {fiftybeautifulthings}

Love so much the autumn thoughts. I will experience my first fall in Tuscany this year. I have visited before in October, but this is a longer stay. ❤️

Expand full comment
author

Thank you, Etta, I'm so looking forward to your reports from Pisa! 🧡

Expand full comment
Oct 12Liked by jodi {fiftybeautifulthings}

Glorious!

Thank you for rekindling memories of long ago visits to Siena and San Gimignano, Jodi

Expand full comment
author

Thank you, M&S! :)

Expand full comment
Oct 12Liked by jodi {fiftybeautifulthings}

Much enjoyed this Jodi and it brought back many happy memories of Tuscan visits. On one of those to Siena we were fortunate to watch the Palio prize giving - the square filled with people of all ages in medieval costume, flags and drums - all pomp and circumstance. A wonderful spectacle.

Expand full comment
author

Ah, wonderful! It's always such a joy to be able to witness local celebrations - especially one with as much history as the Palio!

Expand full comment
Oct 12Liked by jodi {fiftybeautifulthings}

Indeed and of course we aren't short of such pageants in the UK. By the way, I'm just writing up a Meander that will be appear in a couple of weeks and as Chester-le-Street plays something of a role (albeit over a thousand years ago) couldn't help remembering you mentioned your visit there.

Expand full comment
author

I will keep an eye out for it!

Expand full comment
Oct 12Liked by jodi {fiftybeautifulthings}

Hi Jodi, what a wonder reading your post today, as always beautifully described, you certainly see a lot more than I do, possibly due to you spending more than a few hours. This is for me one of the disappointments when travelling, not making or having the time to really explore, and I guess when we were there with friends it makes a difference with what you do. Ciao Bella.

Expand full comment
author

Thank you for the kind words Sally….People always talk about luxury travel, but to me time is the true luxury!

Expand full comment
Oct 12Liked by jodi {fiftybeautifulthings}

Lovely pictures. Thank you. Siena is a unique magical place.

Expand full comment
author

Thank you so much! 🙏

Expand full comment
Oct 11Liked by jodi {fiftybeautifulthings}

I would love to see your sketches and/or watercolors - hopefully you will try it someday!

Expand full comment
author

MAYBE sketches, but definitely not watercolors!

Expand full comment

It's so long since we've been to Tuscany and seen all these beautiful places. The last time we stayed outside Cortona but ten years ago...I worry now about the crowds? But maybe a November trip is the answer ..

Expand full comment
author

Yes, I recommend November, and/or rain. ;)

Expand full comment
Oct 11Liked by jodi {fiftybeautifulthings}

Great article. I live near San Gimignano and can confirm the beauty of these places. We share lots of same interests. Check it out on my newsletter “sippingItaly with Tino” https://open.substack.com/pub/tinomasecchia?r=5tzx&utm_medium=ios

Expand full comment
author

I will check it out! Thank you for sharing. :)

Expand full comment
Oct 11Liked by jodi {fiftybeautifulthings}

Never been. Thank you for transporting me with your beautiful photos and vivid language. You have made me want to read James too.

Expand full comment
author

I really do love his travel writing - even though it's sometimes as dense as his fiction!

Expand full comment