San Gimignano: the “Medieval Manhattan” near Siena Introduction Immersed in the suggestive Tuscan countryside, between Siena and the Val d’Elsa, San Gimignano is a fortified medieval village declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1990, perfect to visit in one day. The origins of this beautiful village in Tuscany dating back to the Etruscan era
Siena: The Contrade and The Palio History The Contrade (Districts) of Siena were instituted between the end of the 12th and the beginning of the 13th century, with administrative (tax collection, road maintenance) and public safety (police) responsibilities, etc.. These institutions, quartered in or around the parish churches, public meeting places or places of worship,
Once Florence’s most fearsome rival, Siena remains the perfect medieval city to the south, rich with Gothic palaces and magnificent art. Proud of its past, Siena celebrates the Palio, with energy and emotion uncharged over the centuries. Siena is the perfect introduction to the celebrated hill towns, with the towers of San Gimignano and the
Wine tasting under the Tuscan sun on our tour to Siena and San Gimignano