My last intra-Italy trip – Siena with my friend Sian. Sian and I met at Vega during a marketing course we did several years ago in an attempt to work out if our perceptions of marketing were in actual fact the truth.  Since then we have both pursued marketing careers more centrally than we did before.  Sian and her Italian boyfriend moved to Rome over a year ago so we decided to meet up between Rome and Milan to explore a new city.  Siena is incredible…

It’s a true Medieval city, built on a hill top that was easy to defend and equipped with a fortress and several churches and a big cathedral (Duomo). It has a spectacular central square called the Campo where a renowned bare-back horse-race takes place twice a year called the Palio. Our elderly Air BnB host, Aldo, kindly showed us a few home videos of the Palio and a documentary on their intricately sculpted and frescoed Duomo.

We walked the city flat and ate ice-cream and panini in the sun of the Campo square on both days.  Food was more delicious and more affordable than in either Rome or Milan and the ability to walk everywhere (even wheeling weekend away bags over the cobbled streets) made this a perfect weekend getaway.

Sian and I talked a lot about what we as South Africans have learnt and experienced in Italy.  It’s an obvious statement to make but being away from the place you are most familiar with certainly makes you appreciate what you have.  We agree that the quality to price ratio of food and customer service in South Africa are far superior to Italy but that travel both in terms of what to see and the costs involved is way better in Italy.

Two things stood out for me in Siena. Firstly the beauty and peaceful sound of birds. I forgot how loud the urban noise can be in Milan. Secondly the lush green forest smell of nature.  This is the first time I’ve experienced leafy greenery in Italy and I didn’t realise how much I needed it for some pre-exam mind-rightedness!

And after reaching my apartment after 2am on Monday morning, I’m fully into the last week of lectures and exam preparation. One month left of the Milan Plan!  It’s flown by…