DAY 33 - VINCI to LASTRA A SIGNA - 23 May 2026

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A late start today because the museum of Leonardo's Birthplace didn't open till 10am. To get to it, we chose the 'Green Path', heading up through olive groves on a dirt track. There was an interesting 20 minute film to start with, detailing the life of Leonardo. As he was an illegitimate son, he only received a basic education and was apprenticed in Florence's technical workshops. This probably helped make him the man he was. 

After this, we took a quiet road heading uphill, speculating that perhaps this was the road Leonardo took when he went to Florence...We had wonderful views over the surrounding countryside. A sign suggested that our road might be closed due to landslide, but thankfully it was accessible to Australian long distance walkers. 

Leaving the tar, we continued uphill on a rocky bush track. We were passed by some mountain bike riders and were impressed with their fortitude. Eventually we crested the mountain and after a short stint on the road took another track which finished at a restaurant, just in time for lunch. 

Refreshed, we headed downhill on quiet roads. We were excited that we could see Florence in the distance, even the curved top of the Duomo. At one stage we exchanged greetings with some road workers, surprised that they were working Saturday afternoon. The road we were on was made of crushed pots and tiles. At the other end of the road we noticed a sign saying the road was closed for work. Oops!

After this, we checked on the house where one of us was an au pair more than 40 years ago. The house was still there, but the names on the letterbox had changed. The hill where they had to push the cinquecento to jump start it hadn't got any flatter.

Signs told us we were on the Etruscan Way and we tried to visit an Etruscan tomb but it had closed. After quite a bit of road walking we crossed the Arno on a footbridge. We collected some groceries for dinner from a small alimentari then headed uphill to our accommodation, for sunset over Florence. 
 
Some Leonardo paraphernalia in Vinci 
The track from Vinci to Leonardo's birthplace
Leonardo da Vinci's birthplace
Inspiring view from Leonardo's birthplace
An attractive country lane took us on from Leonardo's birthplace
There were some indications that the road may have been closed, at least to vehicular traffic
We continued our climb on a stony bush track
The track continued uphill for a few kilometres
A muddy puddle
Reflection in a muddy puddle
We saw a large number of mountain bike riders
A bit of forest-walking. There's usually a bit of forest-walking. 
Starting to go downhill
Heading onto an off-road track
This path took us down to our lunch spot
Our lunch spot
We enjoyed wonderful views all around - here we could see Florence in the distance
A few of the scenery shots we took today
Continuing after lunch with a spring in our step
Along a flat but deserted road
When we got to the other end of the road, we found some indications that it may have been closed, at least to vehicular traffic (there were no such signs on the way in).
Italian cypress shadows on the road to Signa
Crossing the Arno on the footbridge at Signa 
Crossing the Arno on the footbridge at Signa
Along the Arno at Lastra a Signa 
The wonderful view from tonight's accommodation
More from tonight's accommodation - a nice way to end the day
Bits and pieces
Birds and snake
Map - Day 33
Day:                               33
Distance:                      26.14 km
Walking time:               5 hrs 43 mins
Elevation gain:             755 metres
Cumulative distance:  645.25 km

Comments

  1. Anonymous24 May 2026 at 01:09

    Today’s birds: Little Egret, Hooded Crow, not really sure - might be Western Cattle Egret

    ReplyDelete
  2. Richard Morrow25 May 2026 at 05:11

    The country looks so gorgeous. Lovely Italy!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Barkers25 May 2026 at 07:43

    It is gorgeous, we are enjoying everything - the people, the landscapes, the history and culture...Every night it is an effort to cull our photos down enough to make the blog manageable.

    ReplyDelete

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