Siena, Italy

Siena lies in scenic hill country just 55 kilometres south of Florence. It is a picturesque well-prese. Siena is a treasure trove of art. pageantry and architecture.

Inhabited continuously for over a thousand years, Siena flourished in the Late Middle Ages when the merchant oligarchy known as "the Nine" spent vast sums in order to create the most beautiful and impressive city in Tuscany. The many churches, palaces and military fortifications which survive from this period bear witness to the magnificence and sophistication of Sienese civilization. Most interesting are the wonderful black-and-white Gothic Duomo (dont miss the magnificent Bernini statue of Mary Magdalene hidden away in a niche or the dazzling mosaics on the floor), the Palazzo Pubblico (for its impressive frescoes) and the Torre del Mangia which you can climb for a nice view over the city.

If youre there at the beginning of July or in the middle of August try not to miss the world-famous race "palio" . A tradition dating from the Renaissance, the race takes place in the Piazza del Campo, a marvelous shopping plaza in the shape of a half-shell.

For those interested in nightlife - Siena is a fantastic city in which to eat - amble into any restaurant and you won't be disappointed.

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