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The places of interest are numerous, the most famous of which are “PIAZZA DEL CAMPO”, where the historical horse race, the “PALIO”, takes place, the magnificent Cathedral with its Crypt, and the Baptistery.
But Siena is full of particular nooks and special places off the classical tourist routes. One could go on a tour of the old water fountains or fonts (“FONTI”), the big and impressive structures where the women of Siena used to go to wash the laundry; or along the small streets and alleys, the churches and chapels (among which are the church of “SAN FRANCESCO”, the basilica of “SAN DOMENICO”, the “BASILICA DEI SERVI”…), the museums (among which are the Town Hall museum, the old hospital “SANTA MARIA DELLA SCALA” , the National Picture Gallery “PINACOTECA NAZIONALE” , the museum of the “OPERA DEL DUOMO” and the house of SANTA CATERINA…)
The Sienese countryside starts a few kilometres away from the centre of the city, and here, too, one has only to take one’s pick: to the north you will find “SAN GIMIGNANO” and “VOLTERRA” and the “CHIANTI” area, where the “Chianti” wine originates and gets its name, with its small rural villages, the wood-land covered hills, and the stretches of vineyards and olive tree groves; to the south there is the area of the of the clay hills, the “CRETE SENESI”, with their almost lunar landscapes of bare hills interrupted only by an occasional clump of cypress trees here and there or an isolated farmhouse. Beyond this, further south are the “VAL D’ARBIA” and “VALD’ORCIA” valleys; “MONTALCINO”, famous for the “Brunello” wine, “BAGNO VIGNONI” with its spa waters, “PIENZA”, well-known for the “Pecorino” cheese, and “MONTEPULCIANO”
The sea, to the west, is about an hour twenty minutes’ drive away. Along the old road which winds its way across refreshing woodland, youl will come across the “PONTE DELLA PIA”, the bridge crossed by Pia dei Tolomei on the way to her exile in Maremma, “SAN GALGANO”, the roofless abbey, and the nearby “MONTESIEPI”, a little medieval chapel where the legendary “Sword in the Stone” is kept. One could also deviate a little from the main road to visit “MASSA MARITTIMA”, a delightful medieval town with a beautiful cathedral. This road will take you to the coast at “FOLLONICA”, a little town with no particular attraction, but with clean sea very suitable for children and several bathing establishments and beach facilities; if you go north you can reach the “GOLFO DI BARATTI” and visit the ancient village of “POPULONIA” high up overlooking the sea and its archaeological site of Etruscan tombs. Otherwise you could board a ferry in “PIOMBINO” and cross over to the splendid island of “ELBA”. If from “FOLLONICA” you go south you will find the famous “PUNTA ALA”.
You could also reach the coast to the south of Siena if you drive along the “SIENA–GROSSETO” highway and you will reach “CASTIGLIONE DELLA PESCAIA”, a holiday resort equipped with numerous bathing establishments and beach facilities; the fortress of “TALAMONE”; the “Marina”(by-the-sea) of “ALBERESE” right on the heart of the “MAREMMA” coast, with the “PARCO DELL’UCCELLINA”, a still wild natural park very suited for pleasant walks on foot or on horseback and the “ARGENTARIO” headland with “PORTO SANTO STEFANO” from where the ferries to the beautiful “GIGLIO” island leave. The MOUNTAIN of Siena is “MONTE AMIATA” which is a drive of about 1hr 15mins away from the city to the south. It is 1,200 m high and, in winter, you can sometimes find snowy ski slopes and in summer, refreshment from the heat and areas equipped with barbecues.
Fitness Centre Linari 15 km from Siena
Terme Antica Querciolaia in Rapolano Terme, 30 km from Siena
Terme di Chianciano 1 hr from Siena ()
Bagni di Petriolo, Terme San Filippo, Bagno Vignoni, San Casciano dei Bagni…
Organized tour
Wine tour
Wine school
Bike
Cooking class
Siena offers the opportunity to spend relaxing afternoons in the swimming pools a few kilometers from the historic center
Acqua Calda (15 min by bus)
Mulino di Querce Grossa (20 min by car)
Terme di Rapolano Spa (40 min by car)
Terme di Chianciano Spa (1 hr by car)
Via delle Terme, 76
53100 Siena – Italy
+39 0577 285613
+39 347 0072888
