20 Minutes from Siena:
Surrounded by olive groves and the vineyards of Chianti, Siena is one of the most beautiful cities of Tuscany. Set on three hills, the city is drawn together by winding alleyways and steep steps, whilst the Piazza del Campo stands at its heart, and the Duomo and St Maria della Scala serve as additional cultural landmarks. Famed for the 'Palio', the annual historic horse-races that take place on 2 July and 16 August, it is also home to one of the oldest Universities in Europe, which ensures a vibrant Italian student atmosphere throughout the academic year. In addition to the bustling daily life of the streets and squares of the city, Siena offers many cultural events, concerts, cinema, theatre and a wide range of sporting activities.
Few geographical areas in the world can boast of the variety of environment that surrounds Siena. Woven with vines and olive-trees throughout the hills, the area of Tuscany surrounding Siena and Villa Tocchi is wonderful.
Short Drive to Small Villages with Great Food:
From Siena you can plan some wonderful weekends as many places are within an hour away, using the train or bus from Siena. In the village of Montepulciano visit Antonio da Sangallo's San Biagio, a wonderful Renaissance church. You can then spend time walking the streets and feel what it was like to live in the medieval period. In Pienza, in the mid-15th century, Pope Pius II turned this out of the way hill town into a testing ground for the most advanced Renaissance ideas about urban planning. Take a morning to walk the streets before moving onto the next village. San Gimignano is a medieval town that owes its famous skyline to the rival families who tried to outdo each other by building taller and taller towers. Of the original 76 towers only 13 still survive today. This hill town is a medieval oasis in the 'Crete' desert, with many historical monuments. It has a Romanesque Basilica di Sant'Agata within the 15th century ramparts.
A Short Drive to Florence, Pisa and Rome:
Florence---SAN LORENZO MARKET: From Piazza S. Lorenzo to Via dell'Ariento, all around the Basilica of San Lorenzo (in the very historical center of the city) you can find probably the most important market of the city. Just walk around searching for clothing, articles in leather, souvenirs, etc. It is Closed on Sundays and Mondays. And of course the artwork in Florence such as the statue of David are legendary. Pisz--Pisa, located in western Tuscany, is known throughout the world for its famous Leaning Tower, but there is so much more to Pisa than just this striking landmark. The ecclesiastical city of Pisa began life as a seaside settlement around 3,000 years ago and was first laid out in the mid-eleventh century. Pisa is crammed full of wonderful, historical monuments and buildings dating back many hundreds of years and much of Pisa has retained its medieval appearance. Rome--Take the train in Siena to Rome and see the history and enjoy the food!
