Day 11 Bagno Vignoni to Radicofani

A short 30 km day today but a decent 640m climb for the second half. We had breakfast and pushed off by 8.30. A pleasant ride along paved country roads that were mostly flat with a short stop to pump up all the tires as they were feeling low. 

Then the climb started and went. Beautiful views as we climbed with Brooms in full bloom with their yellow flowers on all the hills. After the first half of the climb we came to a few kms of rolling hills and then the climb started up again. The sun was hot but we knew we would be done soon. We saw a castle with a large tower in the distance and we wondered if perhaps that was were we were headed. As it grew bigger and bigger it became clear that was our destination and by 11.30 we were pulling in to Radicofani, small town with a large castle ruins looking down on it. 

The sweet older gentleman let us in to our room and we showered and headed out for lunch. A sandwich shop with an Italian twist on hamburgers that the kids very much enjoyed. 

Then we headed to the castle to relax in the grass and the shade of the castle wall. The castle is from the early first millennium and was the focal point of the war between Siena, who controlled it, and Florence. Siena was able to maintain control for 500 years until the plague, which impacted the city greatly, caused Siena to weaken which allowed Florence and the Medici  family to finally get control of this castle and Siena as a province. Which ultimately lead to the triumph of gelato at a small restaurant up here. History it’s important to understand why we can enjoy gelato near large old stone structures. 

Rolling along

Sara getting some horse time

Are we headed up to that castle?

Yes we are!