Siena & San Gimignano

Behold two of Tuscany’s UNESCO World Heritage sites, the gracious city of Siena and tower-studded San Gimignano, on this enthralling tour. Journey for approximately two hours through the countryside of the famed Chianti region to Siena, a gorgeous medieval city whose warren of narrow Gothic streets, lined with palaces and patrician mansions, converge on the uniquely shell-shaped Piazza del Campo and its formidable Palazzo Pubblico. You’ll appreciate the city’s cathedral, which is Siena’s highest point and a stunning conglomeration of Romanesque and Gothic styles. Discover another religious landmark of note, the Basilica di San Domenico, a vast, austere Dominican church and convent containing many impressive works of art. After free time to lunch and shop, settle in for a brief drive to iconic San Gimignano, famed for its striking medieval towers. See the lovely 14th-century Palazzo del Popolo, dominated by a soaring tower, and the nearby Palazzo Vecchio del Podestà, a 13th-century palace that boasts an expansive portico on the ground floor and its own magnificent tower. Gaze up at the twin Salvucci towers and ponder the unusual yet aesthetically harmonious vision of San Gimignano’s ingenious medieval denizens.

• Wear casual, weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable, non-slip walking shoes.
• Dress appropriately for a religious venue; shoulders and knees must be covered.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.