A toast in Siena under the shooting stars
Siena, beautiful beyond compare
Visiting Siena in the summer is a unique experience, because, in addition to admiring the city, you can also enjoy the scents and atmosphere that only the summer season can offer. You could begin your weekend by visiting the most famous sights of the city, and then take a lovely evening stroll along the narrow medieval streets. Why not enjoy a glass of Moscadello di Montalcino while admiring the starry skies from Piazza del Campo, and if you’re lucky, between 10th and 12th August, you may also see the famous shooting stars of San Lorenzo. A part of the holiday should be devoted to visiting the surrounding territory, home to stunning medieval towns such as San Gimignano, Volterra and Pienza, homeland of the famous pecorino nero cheese.
The watchword is ‘admire’.
Siena is fortunate enough to have many points of interest close to one another. Once you reach piazza del Campo, on foot of course, you can admire its ingenious shell shape, made up of nine segments. The square was the centre of public life in the middle ages, and was created with the intention of accommodating the entire population. Entering the square, there is a feeling of breathing deeply and being bathed in light, after being in the medieval alleys. The Fonte Gaia, the imposing Palazzo Pubblico and the Palazzo Sansedoni are all within the square. The best view of piazza del Campo is from the top of the Torre del Mangia, the tower of the Palazzo Pubblico, one of the symbols of Siena and one of Italy’s highest towers. The building has always carried out civic functions, invoking the citizens with its bell, which still exists today. From the top, you can imagine the festive chaos that pervades the square during the Palio, which takes place twice a year. And the spectacle of the many medieval buildings that are dotted around the city will take your breath away. After your visit, relax and pamper yourself at the Relais degli Angeli, a historic building located in the heart of the city and painted with beautiful frescoes.
Not to be missed
Siena is the perfect city for a long weekend visit, as a couple or with your family: you can visit the town in a day, and take part in other activities in the area on the following day. Visitors can go horse-riding on the hills, take a wine tour where they can enjoy pici, delicious grilled meatm and a glass of Chianti, or sweet delicacies such as panforte, ricciarelli and cavallucci. There are several relaxing thermal spas in Montepulciano, Chianciano and in the Chianti area. Nature lovers will enjoy visiting the nature reserves at Pigelleto, Parco dell’Acqua water park and Castelvecio. Finally, if you’d rather relax, note that the Relais degli Angeli has several comfortable relaxation areas with large sofas, book shops and libraries a refreshment point with teas and herbal teas.