SIENA - GUIDED WALKING TOURS WITH LOCAL GUIDES

 

CLASSICAL TOUR: According to a recent poll, 97 % of all residents in Siena love their city. This alone should arouse one's curiosity. Together with Florence and Pisa, Siena is one of the leading art cities in Tuscany. This city has managed to preserve its medieval character completely.

We start our guided tour with a visit to San Domenico, a church much frequented for its venerated relics of Saint Catherine, patron saint of Italy and Europe. Then we head for the magnificent palace of Monte dei Paschi bank, founded in 1472 - the oldest bank in Europe. From there we reach nearby Piazza del Campo, the unrivalled center of vivid city life. Here our guide explains the rules - and tricks!- of the Palio, Siena's breathtaking bareback horse race. With a stop at the Chigi-Saracini Palace we finally reach the Duomo with its marble pavement made with a startling sequence of 56 marble panels.
Duration: 2-2,5 hrs.
Entrance fee: Duomo: € 5 p.p + 1 € p.p. for 'whisper'.

 

URBAN TREKKING: This is real fun! Our itinerary through hilly town streets does not require any special physical training, but it offers a new and entertaining way to get to know the extraordinary beauties of this town known for its clear air. Through hidden streets and narrow alleys, apart from ordinary tourist routes, you will discover the history and art of one of the most visited Tuscan towns. On our gentle walk you are listening to old stories of bankers and pilgrims, of artists and Saints, hidden behind the walls of old palaces and monasteries. We recommend good and comfortable shoes!
Duration: 2-3 hrs.

 

THE PALIO AND THE LIFE IN A CONTRADA: The epitome of popular culture in Siena is the Palio, the bareback horse race on the Piazza del Campo. But that's just the tip of the iceberg: accompanying their members throughout their entire life, the seventeen contrade repeat on a higher level the structure of a real family. As a part of this tour you will visit a private contrada-museum in Siena, the best place to understand the social importance of the Palio.
Duration: 1,5-2 hrs.
Entrance fee: 5 € p.p