Siena

Siena is a lovely city, surrounded by hills, where ramparts are a silent witness of the city's medieval past. Many buildings are red-brownish colored, giving Siena an eerie, 'burnt' feeling. The city thrived during the 13th and 14th centuries and during that period it was Italy's cultural center. 65,000 of Siena's 100,000 inhabitants were killed by the plague in 1348. The autocrats from the Viscontis to the Medicis did the rest and Siena started to pauper.

Nowadays many of the medieval buildings have been restored and Siena's old town is a marvelous place to explore on foot. The Piazza del Campo is probably Italy's best preserved medieval square. Not far from the square you'll find the town hall and emblemic tower. The duomo is easily recognized from its façade and its sides of black and white marble. There are numerous art galleries, museums and churches scattered all over the city.

There are numerous hotels, bars and restaurants in town. Siena is 180 km northwest of Rome.