The most enchanting of Tuscan hilltop towns, Siena boasts a wonderfully preserved medieval center that never ceases to amaze visitors with the meandering streets of its 17 historic neighborhoods known as contrade. The contrade are world famous because twice a year (on July 2nd and August 16th) they compete for glory in the Palio di Siena horse-race held on the Piazza del Campo. But in fact the Piazza del Campo, a strong contender for the most beautiful piazza in the land, is a wonderful spot to drop by any time of the year.
The dreamlike Cathedral of Siena (Duomo di Siena), located a five minute walk from the Piazza del Campo, is another strong contender in the competition for most beautiful monument in Tuscany. The church is an unbelievably beautiful work of art in and of itself but also just so happens to host works by the likes of Donatello and Michelangelo.
Take time to roam the little neighborhoods of this town and discover the superlative charms of the contrade whose streets, thanks to UNESCO, are a world heritage site. The streets are filled with shops that sell typical Sienese products and vantage points of the surrounding countryside. When hunger gets the better of you, you'd do well to dine at a restaurant offering Sienese cuisine, which locals swear is a notch or two above Florentine cooking in regards to its finesse. If you’ve not found the restaurant of your liking in one of the other contrade, we must say that Trattoria la Torre, a one minute walk from the Piazza del Campo in the contrada of Torre, holds a special place in our hearts!
Siena, Florence's historic rival, is undoubtedly worth the visit, just don’t tell your Florentine hosts that you enjoyed the visit too much!
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