Fun and Brilliance in Siena, Tuscany

Fun and Brilliance in Siena, Tuscany

Siena is considered as the medieval city in Tuscany. The beautiful city is widely-known for its brilliant architecture and horse racing. 

Some people say that the best way to travel around Siena is to stay longer. The longer your stay, the nicer the explorations are. 

Your first stop to Siena should be Palazzo Pubblico. This is Siena’s Town Hall where you can see the overview of Sienede countryside. The outside structure of the hall boasts its Medieval Architecture influenced by Gothic style. One of the must-explores inside are the good and bad frescoes. If you take closer looks at these frescoes, you notice that the Allegory of Good Government is made to personify the Justice of a woman while the Allegory of Bad Government depicted a falling city in crime and violence.

The Piazza del Campo is also one of those attractive squares in the city where you will feel you are like in an extraordinary shell-shaped piazza and ready to tour the symbolic emblems of Palazzop Pubblico, Torre del Mangia and Palazzi Signorili.

Then, every devotee should pay a visit to the house and give thanks to St. Catherine. She’s the patron saint of Italy. Proceeding to Duomo, the Italian Romanesque Cathedral, sounds a nice decision. Here, you can see the Pastorini’s Last Supper glass-stained window, the hexagonal-shaped dome and the unique moldings of the Nave.  

Horse Racing

Of course, your visit to Siena is definitely incomplete without coming to Palio di Siena--- the venue for horse racing competition for twice a year (2nd of July and 16th of August). Horse racing is truly a special festival in Siena. Horses have ornaments in their head while racing and there are also banners (Contrade) sell to the public as souvenirs.  

The horse race in July is called Palio di Provenzano. During this time, you can watch ten horses take part in the race. 

The second race, which is known as Palio dell’Assunta, is celebrated after the Feast of their Assumption. At seven in the evening, an explosive echoes are shot on air signaling the start of the event. The nine horses are arranged in order while the rincorsa or the tenth horse waits outside the track. You may be upset with the happenings as the riders are allowed to whip their horses and other competitors of their reach. 

Apart from horse racing, other special events in Siena are Summer Classical Concerts at Academia Musicale Chigiana, Siena Jazz Festival and market exhibitions.

Dining & Hotels

Various restaurants and bakeries are in Siena. You will enjoy the wine services at Osteria Sotto le Fonti. Eating the excellent pastries at Nannini and almond paste cakes at Ricciarelli are a wow. If you are on look with commercially-specialties such as cake, honey, almonds, flour and spices, you should visit Panforte. 

Hotels and apartments are all over to give you the best form of comfort of your stay. If you are on a tight budget, stay at Piccolo Hotel II Palio or Casa Gigliola. Tuscan Villa Burraia and Montestigliano are just two of convenient mid-range hotels around the city. But if you want to experience the full delight of your visit to Siena, your destination should in splurge luxurious hotels such as Borgo Scopeto Relais and Campo Regio Relais, which is just situated in the historical center of Siena.  
The Small but Attractive City of San Gimignano

The Small but Attractive City of San Gimignano

The walled-city of architectural heritage, this is San Gimignano!

Traveling to San Gimignano lets you take a train to Poggibonsi then a bus ride from the train station to the city. You must worry when you’re already there, the city is small and you can tour it around on foot.

There are only nine noticeable attractions in the city and the most special is the Piazza del Duomo. This is the monumental small squares in Italy, where there are four medieval towers. These are Rognosa, Chigi, Grossa and the twin-Salvucci.

The Collegiata that is situated to nearest Duomo Cathedral is one of those beautiful attractions in the city. If you want to see the various civic paintings, you should get inside the Pinacoteca Civica in Palazzo Pubblico. 

Other attractions include the 200 feet Torre Grossa, the great frescoes at Sant’Agostino, the civic paintings at Pinacoteca Civica and the Old Stone Well at Piazza della Cisterna. 

Food & Restaurants

Various restaurants are scattered all over this small city. The Hotel Restaurant Panoramic is a dainty food dining focusing in perfumes and aromas. Da Pone offers you a medieval setting where traditional recipes are served genuinely. The Restaurant Da Grazano gives you an open-setting in beautiful terraces. Their specialty is focused on fish dishes. 

Da Nisio is a large roof-terrace restaurant that serves you Tuscan wine and food. This is located a kilometer outside the San Ginignano Center. Da Pode is a beautiful mansion inspired in an elegant and comfortable café. The Dorando offers just the pleasures of life. This cozy restaurant is fully furnished in accessible elegance giving you the feel of cleverness. The exemplary La Stella allows you to experience the rustic style of excellence. They serve Tuscan dishes such as mushrooms and truffles cooked in coals. 

The Peruca Restaurant is perfect for those tourists who seek for inspired old-wine-cellar-setting. The whole family experience fun and delight in Zaghe & Doicce. Z&D serve nice dishes during lunch and dinner. If you have some extra money, you should try their Pizza Messicana and Bruschetta al porcino.    

The City of Flowers

San Gimignano is known for its numerous and alluring flowers. If you are a romantic person, this is the city you to look at for. You can always search online and order plants in line of the occasion. Get the flower and deliver right in your doorstep whether wrapped in papers, bouquet or just be in the pot.
The Small & Beautiful City of Pienza in Val D' Orcia, Tuscany

The Small & Beautiful City of Pienza in Val D' Orcia, Tuscany

When you say Pienza, it simply refers to a small city in Val d’Orcia in Tuscany, Italy. Actually, the Val d’Orcia is a cultivated hill consisting of beautiful towns and villages. The Pienza is probably the most popular due to its idealism-setting founded by Pope Pius II in 15th century. 

You can’t see a public transit in Pienza. You will more appreciate your tour if you walk. The town is very small and you can even tour it in thirty minutes without stopping and shopping. However, if you want to enjoy your visit, you should drop from one attraction before the other, never in other way round. Pienza is a town of elegance and grand, don’t waste your time by expecting much. 

Start your tour by exploring the Piazza Pio II. The special aspect about the site is the formation of various tall buildings. There’s a cathedral (Duomo) on the south side furnished with fine interiors, the Bishop’s Palace (Palazzo Vescovile) on the east, the Renaissance-inspired Palazzo Piccolomini on the west and the Palazzo Communale on the north. 

If you want to experience the naturalistic landscape, come inside the great home of Piccolomini family. Upon entering the Palazzo’s ground floor, various halls and rooms will meet your way such as the study, the library and the weapons room. The piano room houses antique musical instruments with historic paintings on the wall. 

After Palazzo Piccolomini, visit the Diocesan Museum the next day. The artful side of you will be realized once you get in touch with the array of notable collections in here. There were 12th-17th century paintings that tell the lives of those pious saints.

Touring with an empty stomach can be stressful, right? So, before visiting your next destination, may it be another art work or fun-filled park, eat and drink wine at Pienza’s best fine dinings at Latte di Luna, La Taverna di Re Artu and the elegant outdoor-and-indoor seating at Ristorante dal Faco.

Now, if you want to visit other remarkable attractions in Pienza or be informed with anything you want to understand, you can visit their Tourist Information, just situated in Piazza Pio II.
Delicious Wines & Impressive Art Works in Montepulciano, Tuscany

Delicious Wines & Impressive Art Works in Montepulciano, Tuscany

Erected on a high limestone ridge approximately 13 km. east of Pienza, 70 km. southeast of Siena, 124 km. southeast of Florence and 186 km. north of Rome is the Tuscany’s medieval city known as Montepulciano. This city on a hill is largely famous for its red wine and some food items such as cheese, lentils, honey, pasta and pork.

Such a small city but with its nature-friendly landmarks around, your vacation will still be a grand in here. Your first stop should be the Piazza Grande. The one amazing thing about this piazza is its ancient but incredible walls and buildings. Walking in this piazza feels as if you are in an old-age chessboard with artistic towers all around the corner. The clock tower in Palazzo Comunale is truly a center attraction and a joy to visit. For just a little fee, you can climb the top to see the bird’s-eye-view of the hill city. 

Wines & Architectures

Are you thirsty? Do you think it’s time to drink wine? No problem, Montepulciano offers you the best wines-tasting in the world. Just situated at the basement of Piazza Grande is the 13th-century, Contucci Palace. Here, you’ll immediately notice barrels and cellars full of high-quality wines and olive oils. The most popular being the Vino Nobile.  

After sipping wines, rest a while and pay a visit to museums, churches and restaurants the next day. The Civic Museum in Palazzo Neri-Orselli is probably the most famous in the city where there’s a massive display of Tuscan Paintings, Robbia Ceramics and Etruscan Artifacts. 

You’ll realize how grateful the nature is if you see the San Biago Church at the center of a gardenlike-setting surrounded with tall and verdant trees. Thanks to Antonio da Sangallo for making San Biago Church the home of relish harmony and real serenity.

Let’s Eat!

Two of the stand-out restaurants in Montepulciano are Ai Quattro Venti and Osteria dell’Aquacheta. The former is recommended for its pasta sprinkled with fresh porcini. The latter is known for nice fine dining specializing in pastas and salads for only Five Euros. Other fantastic restaurants in Montepulciano are: the outstanding services in Ristorante Le Logge del Vignola, the highly-impressive ambiance in Osteria del Leone and the fanciful and pleasant dining setting in La Grotta, located just across the San Biago Church.
First-rate Beaches at Versilia

First-rate Beaches at Versilia

When the Summer Heat is on, there are millions of beach destinations in the world to visit but please, never forget the Versilia in your list. This is a region in the province of Lucca, Tuscany. 

For you to know--- the Versilia has one of the nicest coastal stretches extending from Liguria to Pisa and the coolest part is; it offers clean sandy beaches, clean water, good production of marbles and cool villages. The largest beach town is being the Viareggio. 

The nicest aspect of visiting Viareggio is its variety of interesting sceneries and fun activities. Once there, you can enjoy swimming and snorkeling at their clear beaches, eat delicious seafood at their restaurants and have the great nightlife till you drop. 

Do you want to visit the marble producing resort? Your destination should be Marina di Carrara. Touring their marble quarries and museum is such a delightful experience and just bathe in their awesome sandy beaches later on.

Another a must-visit attraction is the Forte dei Marmi. This resort targets the affluent Italians who can afford the five-star hotels, designer clothes and expensive accommodations at their bathing establishments.  These are probably the reason why Forbes tagged Forte dei Marmi as one of the World’s Topless Beaches in the world. 

Apart from the mentioned above, you can even appreciate the artistic environment offered to you by Ronchi and the adventures in-stored for you by the five-kilometer-sand-stretch in Marina di Pietrasanta. 

Staying Where

If you have difficulties finding where exactly to stay, you can do a direct booking online and if you want, you can study the map prepared for you there. Perhaps, you can choose to stay at Lerici. This is an attractive village situated near the coastline or get around the little city of Sarzana. Here, you can hop around the restaurants around; one by one per day and if you want, write a blog post about your experience after.  
St. Martin Cathedral at Lucca, Tuscany

St. Martin Cathedral at Lucca, Tuscany

Lucca is a historic city in Tuscany, Italy. This city is best known for its impressive architecture like old churches, art galleries and art museums. 

Speaking of old churches, you must not forget to visit the giant columnar-inspired arcades of the Italian Duomo or the Cathedral of St. Martin. 

Some reports clam there’s no lucid indications of this basilica but to some, they believed this Gothic-inspired architecture was built in 1063 lead by Pope Alexander II.  The eye-catching façade and three arches were added in 1204 where you can now see the historic painting of St. Martin with the Poor Man. If you go to the left portal, you surely appreciate the works of Nicolo Pisano.

The next attraction to be applauded next to the façade is the bell-tower, which was finished in 13th century. Inside this tower are the hanging arches and single to four-shaped windows and if you stand at the center of the area, you notice its asymmetrical shaped background.

What’s Inside?

Entering inside the Cathedral feels so brilliantly good for first-timers. You can immediately notice its octagonal-shaped temple in the farthest end where lays the relic of Volto Santo di Lucca.  Nicodemus sculptured the wooden corpus.  

Inside the Nave is the cedar-wood appearance of the crucifix, where the Christ wore long sleeveless clothing. The color of the clothing was reportedly changed from red to blue symbolizing martyrdom. 

Take a look at the statue for at least three minutes and you can somehow recognize as if the wooden statue is moving. This sense of imaginary movement is due to the elaborate positioning of the symmetrical lines of the cross. 

Other historic masterpieces in Lucca for you to explore are Tomb of Ilaria del Carretto by Jacopo della Quercia, Madonna and Child with Saint Peter, Saint Clement and Saint Sebastian by Ghirlandaio, Adoration of Magi by Zuccari and of cource, Tintoretto’s The Last Supper.
Greats, Delights, Nature-enchantment in Chianti Classico Wine Territory

Greats, Delights, Nature-enchantment in Chianti Classico Wine Territory

If you are looking for farm house and villa resorts to stay during the vacation, the Chianti Classico Wine Territory is the place you are looking for. With its panoramic farmland setting, you can surely experience the life in search for peace and true happiness away from the noise and crowd of urban living.

Basically, the Chianti is a small province in Tuscany located exactly in Central Italy. The Chianti Classico is only a zone in Chianti Wine Area and it regularly offers you the best vacation stay at their beautiful farmhouses, holiday-rentals in the hills and tiled-flooring rooms and apartments. 

Talking about the wineries in Chianti Classico, there are various attractions you must visit to taste the wine delight. One of those wineries is the Podere San Cresci that is located in the Chianti Hills just above the Greve in Chianti. Independent winery Sergio Ballini owned this large and clean-surrounding winery.

Another a must-see winery is the Antico Borgo di Sugame, which is ran by Lorenzo and Catrina Miceli. Visiting this winery guarantees a special and caring atmosphere, especially in their 28-year-old vineyard, for your whole family and friends. Sugame offers you delicious wines to taste. They have Sangiovese Grape with small deeps of Cabarnet Sauvignon, the best vintage of Sugame Riserva, the high-quality taste of Sugame IGT Rose and the pure sangiovese and the everyday-drinking Bosco Grosso.

You surely want to go back in Podere Sagna once you went there for the first time. The place doesn’t produce wines but they can give you the best organic olive oil in town. Sunbathing in their water resort is surely a dive. 
Other attractions worth your visit in this town are: Poggio all’Olmo, Villa Saint’Andrea, Le Centnelle, Fattoria Tregole, Le Torre di Melazzano and Agriturismo Patrizia Falcani. 

Don’t worry if you are confused where to go first, you can choose to hire their licensed tour guide. The tour guide will introduce you to hundreds wineries on the area while riding on an air-conditioned minibus. 

Another option to consider blasting your vacation trip to Chianti Classico is the travel incentives. This special winter offer allows you to enjoy a full luxurious weekend at Villa Felceto, delicious meals at Dario Cecchi’s Restaurant and wine-tasting activities at Castello Vicchiomaggio. 
In Focus: The Leaning Tower of Pisa

In Focus: The Leaning Tower of Pisa

There are various marvelous attractions nearby but still and until now, the City of Pisa in Tuscany is widely known for its Guglielmo & Pisano Leaning Tower.

This freestanding tower tends to lean to the southwest (about 5.5 degrees) due to poor constructional foundation in 1173. If you are going to measure it all up, the Leaning Tower has a height of 183.27 ft on the lowest side while 186.02 ft on the highest side. The whole tower weighs at 16,000 short tons and if your planning to lose weight, climbing its 296 steps thrice a week is probably enough to get fit.

Brief History

The construction began in 1173 with pillars and arches as the ground floor. With plans and designs originally made by Guglielmo and Bonano Pisano. When Pisano died, Giovanni di Simone completed the construction of the tower in 1264. In 1360-1370, the Gothic-Romanesque architectural design was passed to Tommaso di Andrea Pisano, where seven bells are installed inside the tower. 

Further surface restoration from corrosion and blackening continued in 1990 until 200. Seventy metric tons were removed in May 2008 to ensure its deep-rooted foundation that can last for at least two decades. 

What It Feels 

Standing outside the tower while photographing a top-view shot feels like you are the courageous David in front of an immobile Goliath. Going inside the entrance door can really be hair-raising for those first timers but when you see the largest bell on the ground floor (L’assunta), its classic ingenuity is not a disappointment.
 
The narrow and almost shrunken staircase from the seventh to the next level seems spooky at first but as you reach the top, the view from the top is completely a breathtaking experience not to be ignored. Don’t worry, it’s allowed to bring cameras and video cams but refrain from leaning to the protecting balusters around.

Children less than eight years old are not allowed inside the tower and those who suffer from any forms of vertigo are discouraged.    
  
As of the writing of this content, visiting the Leaning Tower depends on the availability of the tour guides and the weather during the visit. An advance booking is necessary at their ticket office or before your visit; you can stay at their nearest hotels nearby. 

Other Attractions in Pisa

Apart from the Leaning Tower, try to tour the City of Pisa with stops at the Romanesque dome known as the Battistero, the art collection of frescoes at Campo Santo Monumentable, the preserves masterpieces at Museo del Opera del Duomo and the incredible murals in Museo delle Sinopie. The ever-first University Botanical Garden of Europe is also a must-visit. 
What to See in Cortona, Tuscany?

What to See in Cortona, Tuscany?

Cortona is a small town situated in the province of Arezzo, Tuscany. Touring around this town can be more enjoyable if you choose to walk but if you are visiting churches and castles in hills, it is advisable to tour by car especially if you are traveling with little kids.

A pious person can surely enjoy his stay at Cortona due to the various churches surrounding the town. The most beautiful and most popular being the Santa Maria delle Grazie as this is included in the UNESCO World Heritage. Going inside this church, you’ll surely be amazed by its Gothic-inspired Nave. 

What more if you have seen the da Vinci’s famous work of art, The Last Supper. The church is also known for its brilliant semicircular angles known as the apse. The gothic-romanic apse was believed to be made by Donato Bramante.

Other churches you must explore in Cortona are II Duomo that offer free admission, Church of San Niccolo, of Santa Margherita, of San Domenico and of San Benedetto. 

After visiting churches, you need to proceed to museums. The city of Cortona houses two great museums, the Diocesan Museum (in Piazza del Duomo) and the Museum of Etruscan Academy. The former is tagged as the most important in Tuscany and the place you should be when you want to dig the masterpieces during the 14th and 15th century. The latter is of architectural significance due to its historic beginnings in 13th century. Just located on Piazza Signorelli, the Entrusan Academy is a seasonal museum worth your visit in April-October and November-March. 

Shopping is also fun in Cortona. If you know what you are looking for, you can find several large chain stores with rare and affordable goods. Here, gold and jewelry are sold in fair price. As you continue to tour the town, various clothing shops will meet your way. After shopping, you need to taste the city’s best sweet delights in Pasticceria Banchelli or drink a sip in Wine Bar La Casa Gialla. 

Another best thing in Cortona is its hotels and apartment. They are all over the small town and there’s no way why you can’t choose the one that fits your budget and lifestyle. The Hotel Italia and Alberto Ristorante Portole are only two of the fourteen of the most affordable rent-a-house and apartments in the city. There are twelve mid-range hotels and only one in the splurge department. The Casa Portagioia offers excellent services and accommodations at 170 Euros in peak seasons. 
The Magic in Florence

The Magic in Florence

Churches & Museums

Florence is the artistic and architectural region of Tuscany, Italy. Traveling here allows you to experience the Birthplace of Renaissance. All over the city are the historical museums and galleries. Looking at these amazing masterpieces like The Duomo and the old bridge of Ponte Vecchio can surely mark bliss in your heart. 

Also in Florence are the majestic Cathedrals. If you are a pious person, you surely enjoy hopping to these churches: The Brunelleschi’s Cathedral & Dome, The San Miniato Al Monte, The San Lorenzo, The Santa Trinita and The Santo Spirito. These are only the best five of the many. 

After praying, do you think it’s a good time to explore the work of arts? Of course, yes. Florence houses the two of the most crowd-pleasing art galleries in the world. These are the Uffizi and the Pitti Palace. From there, you can also get in touch with the two of the sculptural collections: the Duomo Museum and the Bargello. Of course you must not fail to forget the Michelangelo’s David, the tomb of Pope Julius 11 (also by Michelangelo) and the Academia. 

Are you in for the adventure of a lifetime? How about climbing the Giotto’s Bell Tower? Being at the top of this 1359 tall attention-seeking building is like reaching for the gems in Heaven. But beware, the smallest bell you can find inside this superstructure weighs 1,000 lbs. Other must-see adventurous attractions are the Piazzale Michelangelo and the church at San Miniato.

Fashion, Beaches and Getting Around

Florence is also known as the hub of fashion. Everywhere you look; there are branded shops and outlets ranging from Gucci, Prada, Armani, Ferragamo etc. The only perceived problem you can have is money, right? But if you are consistently shopping around, you eventually search for good and quality deals. If you are having your first vacation in Florence, you should try the perks in San Lorenzo Market.

Wanting to get wet is no-problem in Florence. Clear-sand beaches and all sorts of coastlines are just around the corner. Having a family escapade is perfect at Marina di Carrara. Seeing the marbles down the quarries is really a must-try at Marina di Massa. Forte dei Marmi was once included in the filming of Oscar’s Best Picture, The English Patient. Elegancy and nightlife are not a disappointment at Viareggio. Enjoying the rocky type of coast is truly an experience of a lifetime in Marina di Cecina. Other great water attractions in Florence are San Vincenzo, Barrati, Piombino, Elba, Il Golfo di Follonica, Punta Ala, Castigliona Della Pescaia and Marina di Grosseto.

Getting around Tuscany can be done through walking, biking, riding a taxi or a bus. There are various travel tours in the city, assisting you with your itinerary. The Driving Guide Tours and Context Florence are only two of the many. If you are comfortable with pedaling, you can rent a bike upon your arrival in the city. Various hotels, on a budget, on a mid-range and on-a-splurge, are also scattered everywhere. 

You see, visiting Tuscany is having your memorable getaway. All the fantastic and the dazzling are here. All you need to do is research it online and do the advance booking to enjoy your stay.