Day 79, 12.6.23.

Pescia Romana to Arezzo, Tuscany.

The campsite was very empty this morning as we packed up in the heat, once the windows and skylights are shut it’s all systems go, as none of us want to sit in the van any longer than necessary . What a bargain of a stop too, with our ACSI discount card we paid €15 a night incl tourist tax!

We didn’t know where to choose for today’s stop so plumbed for Arezzo, Tuscany – it was on our list from last year – one that we didn’t get to .

The terrain told us we were nearing Tuscany, the trees changed from big crown pines to clusters and rows of cypress’. They just remind us of Gladiator . The view was lovely, rolling green hills of olive orchards, vineyards and every now and then, hay bails and cows.

It’s a bit of a challenge for me when we spot a gorgeous hilltop town to find it on Google, Gareth then gets a quick Wikipedia rendition on the place, whether he likes it or not .

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Coming into Arezzo, we chose one of a few parking areas, €8 for 24hrs and just 5 mins walk from the escalators up to the old town.

It was too hot to stay with the van so we plumbed for a shady walk up to the old town, which was the right decision. With the high buildings and narrow streets it was the coolest place around.

We didn’t use the escalators as Meg wouldn’t go near them, but really because dogs weren’t allowed , she doesn’t know that though .

What a surprising delight Arezzo is.

Initially you arrive through the old gate and into the square with the imposing Duomo. This is lovely in itself, and walking up to the park for a great viewpoint over the city walls, we thought there wasn’t much else to see.

How wrong were we? Walking down to see what else there was, we were wowed by lovely building after lovely building.

All still old and cared for, big windows, some with ornate metal bars, huge front doors with fab handles and knockers and gorgeous arched walkways (the Loggia) housing antique shops and cafes.

Since 1968 there has been an antiques fair held here on the first weekend of the month, apparently the most popular in all of Tuscany. Gareth asked me how I knew this, I’d seen lovely big photos on the walls as we walked up to the town (covered walkway alongside the escalator).

This then lead to the Piazza Grande which was being set up for some sort of celebration. Seating stands were being erected and all around on the buildings were flags of all different styles and colours. The floor had been covered with earth and then covered again with a thick matting.

We were intrigued. My FOMO was kicking in so I googled Arezzo 2023, success. They were getting ready for the Jousting of the Saracens. Sadly it’s next weekend so we are going to miss what looks to be a great spectacle. The town is divided into different teams with different coloured flags – these you can see as you walk around the streets denoting whose area you were in .

The teams, who joust a wooden horse are representing a quarter in the town and the crowd is separated by the same quarters. This is a tradition that started in the 16th century dropped off a bit in the 18th and 19th century but since 1931 has been held every year .

We’ve added a note to the diary, they also have round 2 in September so you have 2 chances to catch it.

That aside, the buildings in the Piazza are just amazing, even with all the seating scaffolding in the way.

We got lost wandering around and after a delicious gelato we made our way back.

Arriving at the van @6.30pm we checked the thermometer, it said it was 32° outside and 37.5° inside , needless to say we sat outside for a while.

More on Tuscany tomorrow .

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