SIENA: HOME OF IL PALIO
The Palio Horse Race is a horse race like nowhere else, and it is run in the central square of Siena on July 2 and August 16. Since the 11th century AD, Siena has conducted the festivals every year, when the city’s 17 contrade (quarters) compete in contests such as flag throwing, horseracing and even fistfights. Though the fistfights are a thing of the past, the spirit of competition between the contrade is still fierce. But Il Palio is not all that Siena is famous for, as you will discover during your visit. And while in Siena, allow us to arrange your accommodation for you. We guarantee that you will not regret it.
Siena is a former medieval city in Tuscany, located about 70 km south of Florence. A proud, wealthy, and warlike independent state during medieval times, Siena was finally defeated by Florence. Medieval Sienese art is unique and of historical importance, and the Sienese are still fiercely proud of their city.
Today, Siena primarily depends on tourism for its economic sustenance and, because it remained economically backward for centuries after its defeat by Florence, you will find that it hasn’t experienced extensive urban development. That is the main reason that its medieval buildings were never torn down and replaced with modern structures, and today, the law decrees that new buildings within the city walls must be built to look medieval, so as to maintain the city’s beauty.
Adding to the beauty are such sites as Piazza del Campo, which turns into a racetrack during the Palio. The Palazzo Pubblico and the museum inside contain the famous frescos on good and bad government by Ambrogio Lorenzetti, and the Duomo, Siena’s magnificent Italian Romanesque cathedral including the Libreria Piccolomini, Baptistery, and an attached Museo dell’Opera del Duomo. Other attractions include the Pinacoteca, which is full of medieval paintings, and Palazzo Salimbeni, built in 1472, and today the world headquarters of Monte dei Paschi di Siena, the major banking corporation which monitors much of the economic and cultural life of the city.
You can also take wine and sightseeing tours for Siena and Florence, or indulge in a bit of ballooning, riding, trekking, and mountain biking. Or you could take a tour of an Etruscan tomb, sample some regional food, and visit a local village. Accommodation in Siena is varied and abundant. But we give you the best offers (www.yourwaytotuscany.com/Siena.htm) of Siena hotels, bed & breakfasts, town house suites, apartments, and residences. We link you directly with the accommodations, and make sure you get the best deals possible.
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TUSCANY BED & BREAKFASTS: CATCH THE LOCAL FLAVOUR
Tuscany is paradise on earth for most Tuscans, and for several thousand tourists as well. Naturally, for a region that thrives on tourism, accommodation facilities are as varied as they are comfortable, keeping in mind the individual requirements of a traveller. And bed and breakfasts are among the most popular forms of accommodation in Tuscany, because these are largely farm-based accommodation units that give you a genuine taste of rural Tuscan life. As you probably know, Tuscany is famed for its vineyards and olive orchards, and agritourism is immensely popular among visitors. Our list of Tuscany bed & breakfasts accommodation in Tuscany is perfect for you to experience all the charms of Tuscany at its best.
The Tuscany bed and breakfasts that we have selected offer the best in modern comforts while retaining all their old world charm. We also provide you a direct link to the accommodation of your choice, so you can deal with the host directly. Many of our bed & breakfasts in Tuscany also host wine tasting sessions, and guests are welcome to participate, because you need not be a sommelier to appreciate good wine.
The essence of any bed & breakfast is homeliness and a family atmosphere. While we certainly guarantee those in any Tuscan bed & breakfast of our choice, you will also be treated like royalty and stay in surroundings that are best described as plush. At the Castello della Paneretta, for instance, you have five finely furnished bedrooms in the relais adjacent to the castle. The bed & breakfast accommodation is located in the Montesanto area, and is renowned for vineyards. The garden in front of the property is outstanding for its magnificent lawn bordered by green fences alternating with rose bushes and elegant statues. The ground-floor rooms host tasting sessions of the prestigious wines produced by the estate, and special dinners based on typical Tuscan dishes, carefully prepared by the family chefs.
That is merely one example of the kind of accommodation that we offer you if you choose a bed and breakfast accommodation in Tuscany from our list. You will experience the delights of some excellent and typically Tuscan cooking, sample some of the world’s best wines, and live amidst some of the most beautiful landscapes to be found in Italy. What more could you ask for on a vacation to this beautiful country? For a complete list of Tuscany bed & breakfasts, please visit us without delay!
