Siena is the medieval city par excellence. Its palaces, its squares and its Duomo are equal to those of Florence. Apart from seeing the Piazza del Campo and the Duomo, you must check out the streets around these two places. Pay special attention if you coincide with the Palio (see special section "The Palio in Siena" on Practical Information).
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Brief description: the Siena Duomo is one of the most beautiful and impressive cathedrals in all Italy. In its interior can be found works of art by artists as important as Michelangelo and Donatello. A visit inside the catedral is sufficient, although art lovers may find of particular interest the Battistero, the Crypt and the Opera Museum.
How to get there: in the ...
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The Chianti area is very famous for its wines and for its scenery, although its towns are not as interesting as in other parts of Tuscany. For this reason we advise a leisurely approach so that you can take in the scenery and stop off at any interesting vineyards that you see on the way.
Directions: take Viale Fratelli Rosselli (SS67) and when you reach the roundabout ...
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San Gimignano is great for its magnificent medieval towers and views.
By motorway it is 15min faster but we suggest you take the SP 5, pass through Colle di Val d'Elsa (if you are ok for time, stop and take a look) and then continue on to San Gimignano. 40min without counting the stop in Colle di Val d'Elsa.
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Monteriggioni is a small medieval town whose highlight is its walls. For 3€ you can go up and walk around. To get there, head north along the SR2 and you will arrive directly in the town. 30min by car.
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Montepulciano is a classic medieval town. The highlights are the church (Duomo) with the central squares, the very steeply sloping passageways and the renaissance buildings. The wine in this area is the most famous in Tuscany, Vino Nobile.
In order to get there, leave Rome and take the A1 in the direction of Firenze. Continue some 170km and take the exit marked ...
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Pienza is a small but really pretty town designed in the Renaissance to be the ideal town. Check out the famous pecorino cheese (native to this region), the Palace of Piccolomini, and the balcony that looks out on to the Orcia Valley, considered a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
To get there, continue along the 146 until Pienza. 15 mins by car.
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Montalcino is a larger town than the previous one. Highlights are the views and they say that its most popular wine, Brunello di Montalcino, is one of the best in the world. No wonder then that it costs a hefty 30€ in restaurants. If you are hungry, a great option is to stop to eat in Boccon di Sino, a restaurant on the slope rising into the town. Its terrace is very ...
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The most important event in Siena is the Palio, a medieval festival that takes place twice a year (2nd July and 16th August). The different areas of the city compete in a horse race right inside the Piazza del Campo. This festival became internationally famous due to the James Bond film, Quantum of Solace.
The town transforms itself, taking on an even more medieval ...
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