Day 1 in Siena
Welcome to Siena, a medieval gem located in the heart of Tuscany,
Italy! Upon arrival, you will go
through customs and immigration. Should you opt to purchase a transfer to your
hotel; a representative will be waiting for you as you exit immigration. Arrive
at your hotel, check in and do not give in to jet lag! There is so much for you
to see and do!
Start your afternoon
at Piazza Del Campo.
Regarded as one of Europe`s greatest medieval squares, the architecture
surrounding this square is simply stunning, and it`s a UNESCO World Heritage
Site! If you come during the right time of year (the 2nd of July or the 16th of
August) you can witness the Palio di Siena here,
which is a good old-fashioned horse race!
The Piazza del Campo is bordered on one side by the Palazzo Pubblico and the
other sides contain restaurants, cafes, and bars.
During the day the umbrellas come out creating a perfect undercover location
for a leisurely afternoon lunch and we recommend you to do just that, relax and
take in the ambiance.
After lunch, start
exploring at the Palazzo
Pubblico located right in the square. Back in the middle ages,
this served as the Republic of Siena`s government building. Now it houses their
civic museum and fresco collection, which you
can tell is very impressive. This museum houses art that used to be in the
Duomo of Siena, including a number of statues by Giovanni Pisano. The works of
art in here are absolutely stunning!
For a phenomenal view
over the city and countryside, climb the 335 ft narrow Torre del Mangia`s spiral
steps up to this view-point. This tower was built between 1338 and 1348 and
proudly stands at one end of the Palazzo Pubblico.
Next, visit the Visit the Duoma di Siena, or Siena Cathedral, a stunningly beautiful, mostly
white 13th-century medieval cathedral dedicated to Santa Maria
Assunta and one of the most popular Siena attractions. The beautiful facade
gives way to an impressive interior.
Included in the entry
ticket is a visit to the Piccolomini
Library, a impressive room containing beautiful
frescos. Because with gorgeous frescos
plastered on the walls, this library is more of an art museum than a
bibliophile haven. Nevertheless, it is well worth the visit!
Interestingly, since
Siena is built on a hillside, the baptistery
is actually built right underneath the Siena Cathedral! Just like the Cathedral
above it, the Baptistry displays stunning architecture.
Finish off your day
with a delicious Tuscan meal at one of the many charming restaurants in town.
Afterward, explore some of the quaint winding streets of Siena. They are
filled with shops and charmingly photogenic.
If energy allows, take in some of the nightlife of Siena.
It can get very lively thanks to the many students from
all around the world that populate the city. From the classic wineries to breweries,
from bars to the trendiest
clubs, there is something for everyone.
Day 2 in Siena
Wake
up early today to continue your tour of the beautiful town of Siena.
Start
off with a visit to the Basilica of San Domenico. Like all good Italian towns, there is more than one
impressive church in Siena. Right up on the hilltop is the Basilica of San
Domenico, also dating from the 13th Century. Originally a gothic building,
fires, earthquakes and general renovations have left it a strange mish-mash of
styles. This church is where many of the relics of Saint Catherine of Siena can
be found, including a huge painting of her on one wall. Nearby you can
also visit her house, the Santuario di Santa
Caterina.
Afterward, take a walk around the city. It is possible
to walk all the way around the city following the ancient city walls. If you have a few hours, then
walk the whole loop, but if you don`t have the time, walk a section. It
is also possible to get up on top of the walls for a scenic view at Fortezza Medicea.
In the afternoon, spend some time enjoying
lunch at one of the charming cafes in town before making your way to admire the
Fontabranda. This is a must-see medieval fountain made by Jacopo della
Quercia that would have been used for not only the town`s water supply, but to
bathe in too! It is famous for being mentioned in Dante`s classic book
`Infomno`. Now it is filled with crystal clear water and some big fish. It is
said to still be safe to drink from, but that`s up to you to decide.
Spend the last part of your day enjoying the museums of Siena, there are
quite a few great ones to choose from. The Santa Maria della Scala is one museum housed in an old
hospital building originally treating pilgrims and the poor. In the 1330s Santa
Maria della Scala commissioned many important interior and exterior frescoes as
well as several significant altar pieces. The whole complex host several
museums with splendid monumental areas. The museum is spread over four floors.
There are many different combinations of tickets that can be
bought if you wish to see more than one museum, so keep this in mind when considering
where to go. One option is the Siena Pass, but
there are other combinations on sale at the ticket offices.
For dinner, an alternative to dining
out that we recommend is to take a cooking class. The region of Tuscany is famous for it`s
food and wine, and Siena is the perfect opportunity to learn to cook just like
the locals. There are some great classes offered with a professional chef to
guide you along the way, or to cook with a local Cesarina in their own home.
Additional Days in Siena
If you`re finding yourself with an
extra day to spare, we recommend taking a wine tour of the
area. Tuscany is so well know for it`s wine that you cannot leave the region
without learning (and tasting) why. Take a day trip from Siena to visit
the vineyards and taste some of the local Italian wine.
There are many options, from tours to certain areas, combinations with food,
combnations with local historical sights, private or with a group, the options
are endless.
If you are in Siena on a Wenesday,
make sure to check out the markets set up around the Fortezza
Medicea area. There is a huge variety ranging from clothing and
accessories, shows, household good, and food. The best time to visit is in the
morning, but it can get quite busy, with both locals and visitors all searching
for bargains.
Your Last Day in Siena
Depart your hotel for the airport for your return home. We recommend that you purchase a private transfer, if so a representative will meet you at the hotel, in time to take you to the airport for your flight out.