Located in the Tuscany region of Italy, Siena is a picturesque hill town surrounded by vineyards and olive groves. Set at the southern edge of the Chianti area, and within day-trip distance of a handful of Tuscan towns like San Gimignano and Montepulciano, many travelers to the region choose Siena as their home base.
Watch city life in the Piazza del Campo, take romantic walks along the narrow alleyways, visit the spectacular Duomo or see precious medieval works of art in the Santa Maria della Scala museum.
If you’re a racing fan, check out the legenday Palio horse races on July 2 and August 16, set in the Piazza del Campo. The competition occurs between 17 city districts—complete with pageantry and colored flags. The first horse to cross the finish line, whether or not a rider is seated on it, is the winner.