A Guide to the City of Siena
There are many amazing things to see and do in the Italian region of Tuscany and you’re sure to find that the city of Siena has more than enough to keep you busy for the duration of your holiday. Whether you’re interested in seeing stunning locations like Duomo of Santa Maria Assunta or the breathtaking views that are on offer (like what you can see from the Facciatone), Siena has something for you.
We know just how much there is to love and with our tours, we aim to give you the best possible experience here. With our expertise, passion for providing excellent holidays and carefully constructed itineraries, you can rest assured that if you visit Siena with Tours of Tuscany, you’ll be getting the best of the best.
Whether you’re looking to immerse yourself in the Tuscan lifestyle or enjoy some excellent local cuisine, we’ve got you covered – and this is why we think you’ll want to choose one of our tours when visiting Tuscany in 2021.
What makes Siena special?
There are so many things to love about Siena – and if you come for a holiday, you’re certain to see why.
One of the first things that you’re likely to notice is the wonderful array of architecture. Siena is known for being one of the best-preserved medieval locations in Tuscany. This is saying something when you consider the fact that there are numerous other stunning towns that were prominent during this time in the region, like San Gimignano, Cortona and Volterra to name a few. You can truly feel the history of the city and many will agree that it’s almost as though they’ve taken a step back in time while exploring the streets.
While the medieval aesthetic is one of the most easily recognisable features, most will find that there is much more to enjoy; whether it’s the friendly and welcoming people, or the fantastic cuisine. If you’re planning on taking a trip to Siena, you’re sure to want to find out more about a few of the things that make this part of Tuscany so popular.
Traditions
Italy is well known for being rich in culture, which is one of the main reasons why so many individuals choose to spend their holidays in Tuscany. The chance to immerse yourself in the Italian way of life isn’t something to overlook and since Siena alone has a number of interesting traditions, you’ll want to at least take some time getting to know the people, the lifestyle and the city as a whole.
One of the most important customs to the Sienese people is the Palio race, which is conducted every year during the summer. The neighbourhoods of Siena all race against each other in the Piazza del Campo and the whole experience feels like a fun and exciting festival. While this event isn’t held for tourists, visitors can certainly get involved – although it’s important to note that the locals tend to take the race quite seriously, so expect a little chaos!
Fantastic landmarks
While here, you may want to look around for some of the popular points of interest; from monuments, to medieval style buildings that truly look as though they belong in another era. There are many amazing landmarks that you simply won’t want to miss. Some of them are absolutely breathtaking – you really won’t find anything like them anywhere else in the world.
One example of this is the stunning Siena Duomo. This cathedral is just mesmerising, both inside and out. From the intricate and detailed façade, to the beautiful striped columns and awesome frescoes, there really is so much that makes this religious site truly incredible. This isn’t even including the many amazing pieces of art on display, such as the sculpture of Saint Paul by Michelangelo Buonarroti, the bronze relief sculpture “The Feast of Herod” by Donatello, or the library room. These are simply a few of the many examples of what makes the duomo so special.
It’s no wonder that it’s one of the city’s most famous landmarks!
Delicious Tuscan foods
Siena is also well known for its cuisine, so you may want to seize the opportunity to try some of the many tasty traditional, local foods that are on offer. Fortunately, there are many excellent eateries, restaurants and trattorias almost everywhere you look, so no matter what you plan to do during your time here or when you visit, you’ll find that you’ll have multiple dining options – and so much food to choose from.
A few traditional Sienese dishes that you’re sure to want to try during your stay here in Tuscany include:
- Ribollita (A slow-cooked soup made of beans and vegetables, often served with traditional Tuscan bread)
- Pappardelle con lepre (farfalle pasta in a hare-based sauce)
- Crostini neri (liver and toasted bread)
You may also be interested in some of the many sweet tastes too, such as panforte (made with dried fruit, honey, nuts, pepper and spices) or ricciarelli (almond-flavoured biscuits).
Breathtaking art
There is quite a rich history in the arts to be enjoyed too, with many of Italy’s greatest artists having learned from the Sienese School of painting (which had flourished between the 13th and 15th century). Duccio, Simone Martini, Martino di Bartolomeo and Pietro Lorenzetti are just a few names of talented artists that hail from the school. Additionally, you can find some of the most well known pieces of Renaissance art here too, so you’re certain find that there’s plenty for connoisseurs and those with a keen eye for detail to admire.
As it’s a great place to see some of the masterpieces from the region with your own eyes, why not pay a visit to the Pinacoteca Nazionale di Siena? It’s a gallery that houses stunning works of art from Italian artists such as Duccio di Buoninsegna, Simone Martini and many more; predominantly featuring pieces from the late medieval and Renaissance eras. A few of the paintings here include:
- Adoration of the Magi (Bartollo di Fredi)
- Birth of the Virgin (Domenico Beccafumi)
- Madonna of the Franciscans (Duccio di Buoninsegna)
- Michael Expelling the Rebel Angels (Domenico Beccafumi)
- Peter Enthroned (Guido da Siena)
What should you do during your holiday?
These are just a few of the many things that can make a trip to Siena so special, but if you want to truly make the most from your time here, you may want to know which things you should aim to do while visiting.
You may want to set aside some time to partake in some of the city’s many eateries and try a variety of amazing Italian foods, or you could focus more on your preferred entertainment. Taking a wander through the medieval streets to get lost in the ancient beauty, perusing some of the many amazing churches here, seeing some of Italy’s finest art and a variety of other things could all make your stay truly incredible.
With this in mind, it can be hard for many individuals to actually decide on what they want to do and even to plan their holiday to suit, but that’s not surprising when you consider everything that Tuscany has to offer. Fortunately for those who want the very best experience, our team here at Tours of Tuscany are here to help.
Quality travel companies like ours will encourage you to explore the wonders of Tuscany on your own, while making sure that you don’t miss out; we simply push you in the right direction and give you the information and assistance you need to fully immerse yourself in everything there is to enjoy.
Why choose Tours of Tuscany?
There may be a number of different Tuscan tours out there, but if you’re booking a holiday to Tuscany in 2021, you may want to take a closer look at what our team of dedicated professionals have to offer.
One of the many reasons why so many individuals have chosen our Italian getaways is because of our variety of tours. We have created several itineraries; each one offering a unique and exciting Tuscan adventure. If you’re looking for the best Tuscany tours from Siena, you can rest assured that we’ve got you covered.
Aside from an array of tour options, we also have extensive knowledge of the region and plenty of experience in taking individuals for trips across this part of Italy, so we’re certain that we’ll be able to provide you with any information you need. Along with passionate, dedicated and bilingual hosts, there’s not much more you could ask for! We’ve also taken care of your accommodation in the form of traditional villas that are renovated to offer you all the modern comforts you need to relax whenever we’re not showing you around.
If you’re planning on visiting Tuscany next year we’ll be able to help you – and with everything that we have to offer, you’ll know that you’re in for an excellent time.
