Micina on the road

Meow to all my dear furry and human friends! 🐱💕
This time, I have a special adventure to share with you… I’m taking you to Siena!
I went there with my humans, Davide and Giulia, to celebrate the graduation of Asia, a dear friend 🎓.
It was a short trip, but full of emotions, encounters, and delightful scents. Pack your bags, we’re off! 🚂✨

The Train Journey and a Festive City 🎄✨

We set off on a cold Saturday morning in December by train. I sat comfortably in my backpack 🧳, watching the world rush by through the window. After many hours (and a few naps 😴), we arrived in Siena in the afternoon. First stop: the hotel 🏨—we needed a moment to rest and get ready for the celebration.

When evening came, we went out for a stroll around the city… meow, what a wonder! 🌟 The city was fully decorated for Christmas, with sparkling lights and the scent of roasted chestnuts filling the air 🌰. It felt like stepping into a fairy tale! 🧚‍♀️

🏛️ Siena, the City of the Palio

Siena is one of the most fascinating medieval cities in Italy, famous for its perfectly preserved historic center, its striking black-and-white Duomo, and the breathtaking Piazza del Campo, home to the renowned Palio 🏇. Walking through its streets feels like traveling back in time… and if you’re a curious little cat, every corner is an adventure! 🐾

The Graduation Celebration and the Taste of Tuscany 🎉🍷🧀

At the right time, we headed to the restaurant 🍽️, and there I discovered a paradise of scents! Cured meats, aged cheeses… and Tuscan wine that made Davide and Giulia’s eyes sparkle 🍇🍷. I tried a small piece of pecorino—it was truly exquisite! 😋

🍷 Flavors of Tuscany

Among the pleasures of Tuscany, there are undoubtedly its wine (such as Chianti 🍷), aged pecorino cheeses 🧀, and cured meats like Tuscan prosciutto and finocchiona 🐖. Micina sniffed everything… and approved with a satisfied purr! 😻

During the evening, we laughed, celebrated Asia, and read the “papiro” 📜. At first, I didn’t understand what it was, but I was told that it’s a tradition to honor graduates with humor and affection. What fun! Then we went to bed very late, yawn, so tired! 🌙😸

A New Friend at Orto de’ Pecci 🐾🌳

The next day, we had a rich breakfast and then set off for a nice walk. The exterior of the Duomo and the Baptistery were truly majestic ⛪. I felt so small compared to those towering buildings!

Then we went to a truly curious place: Orto de’ Pecci, a green garden in the heart of the city 🌿, where time seems to slow down. And that’s where I met Tigro, a super friendly big cat! 🐈 We played a lot in the grass and exchanged plenty of purrs 💌.

When we said goodbye, we promised to write each other little letters from time to time. Who says cats can’t have pen pals? 😺📬

🌿 Orto de’ Pecci

Orto de’ Pecci is a charming green corner in the heart of Siena, just a short walk from Piazza del Campo. This urban garden, once part of a medieval hospital, is now a peaceful retreat with farm animals, cultivated gardens, and a small restaurant. Perfect for a stroll… or for making new furry friends! 🐾

Pici, Fountains, and a Missed Dive 🍝💦

For lunch, we went to another lovely restaurant where they served us platters of Tuscan specialties 🍽️ and… pici! Pici is a traditional Tuscan pasta, similar to spaghetti but thicker and handmade 👐. I tasted one: it was delicious, rough in texture, and full of flavor—just how I like it! 🤤

🍝 What Are Pici?

Pici is a traditional pasta from Tuscany, particularly from the Siena area. Similar to spaghetti but much thicker and handmade, it is typically served with rustic sauces such as garlic, tomato, or meat ragù. Its rough texture makes it perfect for capturing every bit of flavor! 😋

In the afternoon, we visited the beautiful Fontebranda 💧, an ancient fountain.

The water was so clear that I almost felt like diving in… almost! Let’s remember: we cats and water don’t always get along 😹

💧 Fontebranda

Fontebranda is one of the oldest fountains in Siena, even mentioned by Dante in the Divine Comedy. It was a crucial water source for the city, and even today, with its Gothic arches and fresh waters, it retains a truly special charm.

Then we passed by Piazza del Campo, the main square 🏰, which is truly large and shaped like a seashell. It felt immense, full of history, and seemed like the perfect place to chase a ball! 🎾

I could have started a new tradition: Micina’s Palio! 😺

🏰 Piazza del Campo

Piazza del Campo is the heart of Siena: a unique, shell-shaped square where the famous Palio horse race takes place every year. Surrounded by stunning medieval buildings and dominated by the Torre del Mangia, it is one of the most enchanting places in Italy!

Pizza in the Rain 🍕☔

In the evening, we met up with Asia and some friends to enjoy a delicious pizza together 🍕. We wanted to go out again… but it was raining heavily! 🌧️ So, we spent the night playing cards 🃏. I curled up on Giulia’s lap—I think I won because I got plenty of cuddles! 🥰

Ricciarelli and Goodbye, Siena! 🎁🐾

Monday had already arrived, and it was time to head back 🚄. Before leaving, we took one last walk through the city center and bought some souvenirs. The most interesting? Definitely the ricciarelli! 😻 These are traditional Sienese cookies made with almond paste—soft, sweet, and fragrant, topped with a dusting of powdered sugar 🍪. Yum, so tasty! 🤤

🍪 What Are Ricciarelli?

Ricciarelli are traditional Sienese sweets made with almond paste. Soft and incredibly fragrant, they have an oval shape and are covered with a delicate layer of powdered sugar. Perfect to pair with tea or enjoy on their own!

Late in the morning, we headed to the station, feeling a little nostalgic but carrying so many beautiful memories with us. 🎒📸

It was a wonderful adventure, even if short-lived. Davide, Giulia, and I made a promise: we will return to Siena! And of course, we will visit Tigro, who will be waiting for us at Orto de’ Pecci, ready to play again with me. 🐾💌

What should we visit next time we return to this marvelous city? I’m waiting for your suggestions in the comments. 💌

Meow meow, until our next little adventure! 🐾😽

With love,
Micina 💕

Did you enjoy this adventure with Micina? Discover all her other journeys here.

📷 Here are the photos we took during our short trip! 🏰🌿 Unfortunately, there are only a few because we had little time ⏳, but I hope you like them! 😻💛