Day Itinerary
12 Activities
Day 2
93 mi0.8 mi
Tough Choices in Siena
Hi, I hope yesterday wasn't too tiring for you because another full day is waiting ahead. After a quick breakfast in a local café, you'll drive to Siena, the perpetual competitor of Florence. By the end of your visit, you'll need to know which city you prefer best between the two of them.
Then, late in the afternoon, you'll be in San Gimignano, one of Tuscany's most charming towns. It's also called the Medieval Manhattan thanks to its towers.
Then, late in the afternoon, you'll be in San Gimignano, one of Tuscany's most charming towns. It's also called the Medieval Manhattan thanks to its towers.
2.1 mi
10 min
09:1030 min
Begin your day people-watching as you have breakfast in the animated Caffè Garibaldi di Romano Gennaro. Try Gennaro's panini, pies, or pastries with a delicious Italian coffee on the side.
And excellent news: it's before 11 am, so you can order a cappuccino without any judgment from the locals!
Caffè Garibaldi di Romano Gennaro is open every day except on Tuesday, from 6 am to 12 am.
And excellent news: it's before 11 am, so you can order a cappuccino without any judgment from the locals!
Caffè Garibaldi di Romano Gennaro is open every day except on Tuesday, from 6 am to 12 am.
62.7 mi
1 hr 30 min
11:151 min
Legend has it that the son of Remus established Siena, and the sign of the wolf feeding the twins Romulus and Remus is as common in Siena as it is in Rome. Actually, the city most likely has Etruscan origins, even though it became a legitimate town when the Romans founded here a military colony named Sena Julia.
In 1348, a plague outbreak killed two-thirds of Siena's residents, ushering in an era of decline. This resulted in the city being given over to Cosimo I de' Medici, who prohibited the residents from operating banks, significantly limiting the city's influence.
The centuries-long economic crisis that followed the Medici takeover turned out to be a blessing in disguise since the lack of funding meant that Siena saw relatively little reconstruction or new buildings. As the living embodiment of a medieval city, the historic center was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Siena has also kept a festival alive since the Middle Ages. At the beginning of July and in mid-August, part of Siena's contrade or town districts fight for the Palio, a silk banner. Late in the afternoon, locals in historical costumes wearing banners take part in a parade around Piazza del Campo. Then the Palio race takes place, and bareback riders on their horses speed three times through the temporary track. After that, the locals retreat in song on the narrow streets of Siena. Learn more about the Siena Palio here.
The rivalry between Siena and Florence continues to this day, and involvement is not confined to residents; most travelers acquire a strong preference for one town over the other. I wonder which city will have stolen your heart by the end of this visit.
In 1348, a plague outbreak killed two-thirds of Siena's residents, ushering in an era of decline. This resulted in the city being given over to Cosimo I de' Medici, who prohibited the residents from operating banks, significantly limiting the city's influence.
The centuries-long economic crisis that followed the Medici takeover turned out to be a blessing in disguise since the lack of funding meant that Siena saw relatively little reconstruction or new buildings. As the living embodiment of a medieval city, the historic center was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Siena has also kept a festival alive since the Middle Ages. At the beginning of July and in mid-August, part of Siena's contrade or town districts fight for the Palio, a silk banner. Late in the afternoon, locals in historical costumes wearing banners take part in a parade around Piazza del Campo. Then the Palio race takes place, and bareback riders on their horses speed three times through the temporary track. After that, the locals retreat in song on the narrow streets of Siena. Learn more about the Siena Palio here.
The rivalry between Siena and Florence continues to this day, and involvement is not confined to residents; most travelers acquire a strong preference for one town over the other. I wonder which city will have stolen your heart by the end of this visit.
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