Around Siena

Montepulciano

Montepulciano is a town of Terre di Siena famous for its history, traditions and above all for its wine. In fact, Montepulciano was born as an Etruscan settlement: the Lucumone - Etruscan king - Porsenna used to spend his summer there.

But the splendor of Montepulciano came out during the Medieval times when it was a free municipality and even more after its alliance with Florence. Finally with the Lorena family, the town cultivated art and literature along with a natural aptitude for farming, mainly developed during the last centuries.

Cetona

Cetona is one of 184 Italian small towns awarded with the "Bandiera Arancione" (Orange Flag) for excellency in tourism, hospitality and the environment. Cetona is also one of the "Borghi più belli d'Italia" (Most beautiful villages in Italy) located in the province of Siena, Tuscany. The village’s name finds its origins in the one of an ancient Early Christian pieve - a medieval rural church with a baptistery - mentioned in some historical records: in a text dating back to 1275, such a church is called plebs Sancti Johannis de Scetona.

Montalcino

Montalcino, as well as being famous and known worldwide for its Brunello di Montalcino (a local red wine), is also one of 184 Italian small towns awarded with the "Bandiera Arancione" (Orange Flag) for its excellence offered in tourism, hospitality and environment.

Montalcino is a village located among the Amiata Mountain and Crete Senesi (in the Val d’Orcia), a few km away from the city of Pienza.

Pienza

Pienza is a little jewel standing in Tuscany’s crown, in the wonderful Val d’Orcia. Thanks to their beautiful landscape, they both have become UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Pienza is also one of 184 Italian small towns awarded with the "Bandiera Arancione" (Orange Flag) for excellency in tourism, hospitality and the environment.

The town of Pienza was built on an ancient village (Corsignano) by command of a well-known citizen, Enea Silvio Piccolomini, a humanist of the Renaissance who was later nominated Pope.

San Gimignano

San Gimignano stands on the top of the gorgeous Val d’Elsa, a wide green valley close to the ancient town of Siena.

Thanks to its central position and its medieval towers, it is very easy to see this little picturesque town from every corner of the valley. As a matter of fact, built between 13th and 14th century, San Gimignano, famous for its medieval architecture, has remained mostly intact: as a proof, visitors can still marvel at 14 towers (in the past there were 72 towers and tower houses) that are until 54 m high (Torre Grossa).

In 1990, the historical centre of San Gimignano has been included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. San Gimignano is also one of 184 Italian small towns awarded with the "Bandiera Arancione" (Orange Flag) for excellency in tourism, hospitality and the environment.