Duomo, Siena

Another bakingly-hot day in achingly beautiful places, this time in Siena & San Gimignano. Why have so many of our churches remained plain in comparison? I think they took the long view in Siena, 500 years to complete the floor! Now there's an investment in the future! So today we've seen (according to our guides) the oldest Frankish road in the world, the first recorded public bank in the world, the first recorded hospital, which started out as a hospice for the poor, the steps of death, the best gelato in the world ...... and the list goes on. However, the sights and sounds add richly to the experience. Oh for a touch more of Southern European flamboyance!

Extra blip - great view from our balcony this evening.