Tuscany Tours
Siena, San Gimignano, Monteriggioni | Arezzo, Montepulciano, Cortona | Pienza, San Quirico D'Orcia, Bagno Vignoni, Montalcino | The Chianti Area | Volterra, Pisa and Lucca

Siena, Monteriggioni and S. Gimignano
Suggested tour of 1-or-2 day's from Rome with the visit of Siena, Monteriggioni and S. Gimignano, the service is driver/guided and is individually personalized.
Siena.
The tour will start from your hotel and we will drive north of Rome through three of the most beautiful Italian regions Lazio, Umbria and Tuscany. Siena is recognized, both nationally and internationally, for the Palio horse race contested by the 17 contrada which divide this small city. But Siena is also unique thanks to its maze of narrow streets, its numerous towers and elegant town houses, the immense Piazza del Campo and the Cathedral which dominate the heart of the Medieval city encircled by impressive walls. Those living in Siena enjoy an incredibly high quality of life. It is also the first city in Italy to close its center to traffic. As far as culture is concerned, Siena has been a city of great artistic significance since ancient times with internationally acclaimed institutions such as the Chigiana Musical Academy, the Accademia dei Fisiocritici and Accademia degli Intronati, as well as the University for Foreigners. Sites not to be missed: the Church of St Domenico, the Church of St Francesco, the Diocesan Museum of Sacred Art and Palazzo Salimbeni which houses important frescoes. The surrounding countryside is superbly peaceful with vineyards, olive groves, medieval hamlets and castles. The gastronomic traditions have gained international fame with the sweet Panpepato, Ricciarelli and Cavallucci being exported throughout the world.		 Siena
Monteriggioni Castle.
In the province of Siena, half way between Colle Val d'Elsa and the city of Siena, one finds Monteriggioni, a small medieval village known throughout Italy because the walls which encircle the settlement are still perfectly intact. Dante mentions the village in "the Divine Comedy". There are 570 meters of wall, 14 towers and two gateways Porta Franca, which faces towards Sienna and Porta St Giovanni, facing towards Florence. Built on a hill top, Monteriggioni was originally a surveillance point looking out over the Elsa and Staggia Valleys. To see: the 14th Century Parish Church and the Romanesque Abbey Abbadia a Isola of 1001. Cereals, grapes and colza are grown in the surrounding countryside where there are also numerous stud farms. Craft traditions of Monteriggioni include the production of ceramics, and articles made from wood, granite and marble..		 Monteriggioni Castle
S. Gimignano.
Built on a hill dominating the Val d'Elsa, San Gimignano preserves the charm and atmosphere of an isolated center, first Etruscan then Medieval. Its appeal derives also from its past as a vibrant center of artistic excellence, exemplified by the many works of art held in the museums and adorning the convents and churches. Among the artists: Pinturicchio, Bozzoli, Fiorentino, Mainardi. San Gimignano gave hospitality to Dante Alighieri Tuscan ambassador of the Guelfa cause. There are many artistic itineraries to follow through San Gimignano: the Cathedral, Palazzo Comunale, the Museum of Sacred Art, the Archeological Museum, the Apothecary of St Fina, and the Church of St Agostino. Also well worth a visit: the Ornithological Museum, the Stronghold of Montestaffoli, the Church of St Bartolo, the Chrch of St Lorenzo in Ponte and the remains of the Church of St Francesco. Events include the Messi Fair, the Giostra dei Bastoni, the Film Festival and the guided tours Camminando Camminando.		 S. Gimignano
Tuscany Tours
Siena, San Gimignano, Monteriggioni | Arezzo, Montepulciano, Cortona | Pienza, San Quirico D'Orcia, Bagno Vignoni, Montalcino | The Chianti Area | Volterra, Pisa and Lucca