Siena
Piazza del Campo, Siena's beautiful central square where they run Siena's famous, ancient (and still ongoing) race, the Palio.
Osteria Trombicche, where we had lunch.
A statue of Catherine of Siena, famous patron saint of the city. Also notably regarding my studies, one of Italy's first women writers--in the 1300s God visited her in a vision and granted the gift of literacy, and she started writing down and circulating her own sermons. Almost shockingly, she was much beloved by the papacy, and so though her head and one finger remain in the Church of San Domenico in Siena, the rest of her body rests in Rome.
Even saints love wishes.
Church of San Domenico.
At a shop display, the flags of the various neighborhoods of Siena, each represented by a different animal (dragon, rhino, dolphin, goose, etc.). These are the colors and symbols the horses and jockeys sport in the Palio.
One of my favorite expressions of neighborhood pride: we found this image of the Madonna and Child and Goose.
Florence
Aperitivo at Aurora bar and restaurant: red wine, minestrone, plate of salty snacks.
Valentine's Day cookies at Mama's Bakery.
(Very) rich hot chocolate with fresh whipped cream at Bar Scudieri in front of the Duomo.
Italian microbrew "La Volpina" at the restaurant Fuori Porta.
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