Siena

Surrounded by olive groves and vineyards, Siena is one of the most charming town of Tuscany. On the top of three hills, this town is crossed by boulevards and very narrow winding streets taking you to the heart of Siena, the big central square called Piazza del Campo. All around it you can see buildings and churches of great value and beauty among which the Duomo (the cathedral) and the museum of Santa Maria della Scala (the old hospital) are the most important.
Siena is even famous for the Palio, an historical horse race in the main square. This festival is celebrated twice a year, on July the 2nd and on August the 16th. The town has got one of the oldest European university and it even offers you a vast range of cultural events, concerts, cinemas, theaters and sportive activities.
The landscape surrounding Siena is one of the most striking of all Tuscany. The olive groves and the vineyards of the Chianti region with the medieval villages of San Gimignano and Monteriggioni, from where there is a wonderful view of the countryside; the Val d'Orcia area, in the southern region with Montalcino and its famous wine (the Brunello); the Crete area, south-east of Siena, unique for its rocky landscape.
Leaving Siena and driving towards west you can find coastal villages such as Castiglione della Pescaia and the Maremma wildlife reserve.
Siena can be easily reachable by car, bus or train and it's a perfect starting point to visit all Tuscany.