Sienne

Siena, a Tuscan city inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is renowned for its remarkably well-preserved medieval centre. The shell-shaped Piazza del Campo, lined with Gothic palaces, forms the heart of the city and hosts the famous Palio horse race, contested annually between the city's historic districts. The Torre del Mangia towers over the square, and climbing it rewards visitors with sweeping views over terracotta rooftops and the surrounding hills. The Duomo, with its striking white, green and pink marble façade, houses an intricate marble-inlaid floor and the fresco-adorned Piccolomini Library. Steep, cobbled lanes wind between artisan shops and bakeries selling panforte and ricciarelli, local specialities made with almonds and candied fruit. The surrounding Sienese countryside, with its Chianti vineyards and cypress-lined roads, also draws wine enthusiasts, particularly given the proximity of the Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano appellations. The compact, largely pedestrianised centre makes Siena an easy city to explore on foot.