Siena is a city in central Italy’s Tuscany region and is distinguished by its medieval brick buildings. It is a city where the architecture soars, as do the souls of many of its visitors. Siena has spiritual and worldly monuments that have retained both their medieval forms and their extraordinary art collections providing the visitor with plenty to marvel at. The city’s 17 historic “contrade” (districts) extend outward from the piazza, each one marvelous and being as close-knit and colorful today as they were in the 17th century.

Siena’s twisting historic center which is a Unesco World Heritage Site, is among Italy's finest strolling grounds. The magnificent buildings demand top billing. With nearly all of Siena’s preserved/restored center being postcard-worthy, one could easily spend 48 hours here without spending a single

euro on admission fees and still come away fulfilled and fascinated. Siena was the first European city to limit motor traffic in its historic center back in 1966, making the city especially pleasant to explore on foot.

The cathedral is one of Italy's finest Gothic structures and is located at the Piazza del Duomo. The construction was largely completed between 1196 and 1215, though work continued well into the 13th century. It is also always pleasing to climb the 400 steps of Torre del Mangia for pulse-quickening views of the city. The tower, built on Piazza del Campo in 1344, was at the time a remarkable engineering feat and one of the tallest nonsectarian towers in Italy (102 meters).

Within each contrada lie vibrant streets populated with artisanal boutiques, sweet-smelling pastry shops and tempting restaurants. It's a feast for the senses and an essential stop on every Tuscan itinerary.