Siena and San Gimignano Tour from Rome

Enjoy a private day tour of Tuscany and to discover two beautiful and picturesque charming hill towns, Siena & San Gimignano. Our English-speaking driver/guide will welcome you at 8:00am (suggested time) at your hotel or any other place of your convenience in Rome.

Enjoy a private drive through Lazio, Umbria, and the Tuscan countryside. Our first stop will be Siena, where you’ll immediately notice an ancient and mysterious atmosphere floating through the little, narrow streets and squares. Without doubt, Siena is one of Italy’s most enchanting cities, built on three steep hills and unchanged since medieval times, it’s a must-see attraction of Tuscany.

You will have the chance to see all the major sites like the gothic cathedral (Duomo) and the taut needle of the Torre Del Mangia. However, the shell-shaped Piazza Del Campo probably captures the most attention and fame. It has been seen in films, photographs, and advertising campaigns. The bricks cover the sloping land underneath and are witness to many events in history; the most intriguing is the “Palio” horserace, one of the most important things in the life of a Siena native. In the piazza on July 2nd and August 16th, there is a bareback horse race that was first recorded in 1283, but may have had its origins in Roman military training. On those days, chaos takes over this small town, and non-natives can observe local patriotism at its best and worst. Any and everything will be done passionately to bring home the prize. The prize is the “Palio,” a banner to be shown off with pride for the whole neighborhood it represents. The Duomo (1136 – 1382) is one of the most spectacular in Italy, and one of the few to have been built south of the Alps in full gothic style. In 1339, the Sienese decided to build a new center of the south with the aim of making the biggest church in Christendom. This plan came to nothing when plague hit the city, killing off much of the population. The uncompleted center now contains a museum of gothic sculpture.

After the visit, we’ll proceed to San Gimignano. Once in San Gimignano, other than admiring the famous towers, you can also see the “Duomo” or Collegiate Church, the “Palazzo Del Popolo”, the “Palazzo Nuovo Del Podestà” (which is now the town hall), S. Agostino Church, the Museum of Holy Relics, and the infamous Museum of Torture, which displays early instruments of torture, reminding everyone that cruelty and violence existed even back then. On a lighter note, there are numerous shops which sell local products including the “Vernaccia” wine.

At the end of this interesting and relaxing day you will enjoy a pleasant journey back to Rome.