Siena

We will head towards the South of Tuscany to visit Siena, the historical enemy of Florence. Many battles were fought here  between the two cities of Florence and Siena. Only once did Siena defeat Florence in 1260 on 4th September at the battle of Monteaperti.  The rivalry is still strong as the Sienese say, the best thing that happened to Florence was the 1966 flood that almost drowned the entire city.

Siena is the medieval and gothic jewel of Tuscany, not  effected in any great way by the Renaissance period.

Thanks to our official permits, we can drive through the pedestrian narrow, windy roads of the city to reach the beautiful recently renovated cathedral, right in the heart of town.  Once we park the car, we can walk through the main street to one of the most breathtaking squares in Italy, Piazza del Campo.  This is where the Palio Horse Race is held twice a year; July 2nd and August 16th.  This is the reason the people of Siena are so proud of their roots.  Walk through the streets days before the race and every citizen in the street is play acting, making it seem like they are part of an open air theater play. You will have free time to walk around until lunch.(on your own)

Monteriggioni

Until the XI century, Monteriggioni was a place of rest on the Francigena Road in Tuscany. However, Siena transformed Monteriggioni when it built the imposing Fortress to protect the boundary north in the wars against the enemy Florence.

In the XIV century, there were 150 families with about 600 inhabitants inside Monteriggioni.

The wall was built from 1213 (see the headstone on the Romea Gate) to 1219, then was strengthened in various years (1260, 1279) until 1545. The wall of Monteriggioni is over 500 meters tall and surrounded by 14 towers to square base.

San Gimignano

Next is the town of San Gimignano, also known for its beautifully preserved medieval towers. There are  14 left out of 72 initially built in the 13th century.

We will walk to the square of the well, the center of the town to enjoy all the fine shops which sell the local smooth, dry white wine called Vernaccia, and most of all the best ice cream in the world.