Sometimes, the unplanned and unanticipated experiences become fond memories. Our tour leaders had made arrangements for a local expert to spend the afternoon with us as we walked and took photographs through the streets of historic Siena. The local expert, Claudia Cesa, was a wonderful tour guide with great detailed knowledge of Siena and the surrounding provinces. Claudia’s knowledge of the area is no surprise – she is a lifelong resident of Siena and she holds a BA in Art History and is a licensed tour guide. The unanticipated experience came at the end of the tour. Claudia asked us if we would like to go to her family’s villa for some wine and cheese. Of course, the answer was yes! Claudia led us through Siena and to her villa, which is just outside the city’s walls. The villa, named Villa Santa Chiara, has been owned by the family since the early 1900’s. I took this photo of an entrance to the villa. The family does rent out rooms and I only can imagine how nice it would be to stay there.