SIENA AND MONTERIGGIONI, amidst towers and fortresses

1° Day Siena

Late morning arrival of your group in Siena, a city with the Chianti woods on one sideand the “crete” (hilly area between Siena and Val di Chiana with clay earth) on the other, and compared to the land once dominated by the city, Siena is in a central position as though resting in the middle of a low hill. The city, famous for its Palio with its districts, is truly fascinating, thanks to its multicoloured flags, its narrow, winding streets, the perfection of its Gothic monuments, the many famous people born there, and its high quality products you can savour anywhere. The very high Torre del Mangia that stands proud over Piazza del Campo can be seen from all around, and it is precisely from this square that you can get to: the Dome, San Domenico, Santa Caterina, Piazza Salimbeni, Via di Città, and Porta Romana. Stop for lunch in a restaurant. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon, then evening meal and accommodation.

2° Day MONTERIGGIONI – ABBADIA ISOLA – COLLE VAL D’ELSA – OUTLET DELLA CRISTALLERIA

Breakfast in hotel, then departure for Monteriggioni, enclosed by the “round city wall”, the town “crowned with towers” (Dante): the imppressive, medieval beauty of the town is surrounded by the image of the sloping Siena hills. You will visit the Wall and the Parish Church of San Giovanni Battista. Next destination Abbadia Isola: a small village built around the Cistercian Abbey of San Salvatore. Lunch in a restaurant in Colle Val d’Elsa. In the afternoon a tour of what is both an agricultural and an industrial town sitting on a hill: the Palazzo Campana, the Castle, the Palazzo Pretorio, the Civic Museum, the Museum of Archaeology, the Dome, the Palazzo dei Priori, the Church of Sant’ Agostino. Then on to the Outlet of the Cristalleria of Colle Val d’Elsa for some shopping. Return to hotel for evening meal and accommodation.

3° Day SAN GIMIGNANO

After breakfast in the hotel, departure for San Gimignano, the “Town of the towers”, where you will visit: Porta San Giovanni, Piazza della Cisterna, Palazzo del Popolo, Museo Civico, Sant’Agostino. Lunch in a restaurant.