North and South

Set out for Asciano, but Dad's GPS Navman system (we call her "Madam Lash") was taking us to Florence, so we diverted instead to Monteriggioni. This is a medieval hilltop town with views of the beautiful Tuscan countryside, and not a lot else.

Next stop, the abbey at Monte Oliveto Maggiore. This is a much more worthwhile place to visit, as the Great Cloister (built 1427) is decorated with excellent frescos by Luca Signorelli and "Il Sodoma" (the Sodomite). Sadoma's work is occasionally saucy - apparently in order to frustrate the monks with whom he had a falling out. There was also a medieval library and old apothecary.

Back and forth past Siena now to San Quirico d'Orcia, to see the Collegiate, an 8th C church with lion sculptures.

Final stop at the thermal baths of Bagno Vignoni, another medieval town with a natural sulphuric pool that has been used for medicinal purposes since Etruscan times. St Catherine and Lorenzo the Magnificent both came here for its curative powers. We had some drinkies (Jagermeister!) and soaked our feet.