Throwing it back to our trip to Italy in the Spring. I recently had someone ask me about a good day trip from Florence or Rome. It soon dawned on me that I never highlighted my favorite Medieval town, Siena.
Siena is located in Tuscany, just south of Florence. I definitely recommend it for a day trip, or an extended stay. There are so many things to do, and the town itself is magical. I tried my best to explain “the walled fortress” of the city to my family, but I think we can all agree, I came no where close.
Getting to Siena from Florence is stress free. You can either take the bus or train. I prefer taking the train, as the route to Siena is hilly and car sickness will happen. Trust me. Been there, done that. Getting to Siena from Rome is a little trickier. You can take the train, but it will take a solid 3-4 hours. We rented a driver and he had us there in an hour and a half. Worth every penny euro.
Since we were only there for a short bit after our Ferrari Experience (highlighted here), we only had a couple hours to explore. Here is what I recommend:
1. The Duomo. As you may or may not know, I have an obsession with the Florence duomo. Siena’s takes second. The green and white marble inside is mesmerizing. Be sure to visit as many parts of the church as possible: the baptistery, the unfinished wall, and all the chapels. Fun Fact: This duomo was going to be the largest in the world, however, as the Black Plague hit Italy, the duomo was abandoned.
2. Piazza de Campo. The world’s oldest horse race is held in the city center of Siena. It is a perfect place to grab a spritz and people watch. Go a few blocks in any direction and you will find authentic Tuscan dishes.
3. Wander the Medieval city. Siena truly is unlike any other city in Italy. Since it’s built on a hill, the streets are narrow (too small for even a car to fit through) and the inclines are a real booty lifter. It gives the city a fairytale feel. I have found some of my favorite souvenirs in Siena as well, loads of mom and pap shops from the Tuscan countryside.
One of my favorite parts of Siena, and Tuscany for that matter, is the food. Wild Boar, pecorino cheese, salamis, Florentine steak, spritz, some of my favorite Italian dishes are served in the region. The restaurant owners, waiters, chefs are so passionate about what they do. Every meal with my family in Siena ended with Limoncello from the owners. Lots of Limoncello.
Be sure to add Siena to your Italian vacation or squeeze it in if you have some free time.
Have you been to Siena? Any other recommendations?
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