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TRAVEL INFORMATION |
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 The
Piazza del Campo is the center square of Siena. It is a formation of the
conjunction of the three hills on which the city was formed. The site was
built in the 13th century and is considered to be one the greatest medieval
squares in Europe. It is in this square that the famous Palio is held bi-annually.
After undergoing Feudal rule
and Episcopal rule, the area broke up into a number of small autonomous
regions in 1115. In 1167 the commune of Siena was declared independent
and by 1179 there was a written constitution available for its governance.
Much like Venice, Siena is
a place of mystery and romance. The mystery associated with Siena stems
from medieval times: during the battle of Montaperti, it is believed that
a white cloud descended and provided cover to the Seines, aiding them to
crush the enemy.
The Duomo di Milano or more
commonly known as the Duomo is a famous gothic cathedral. The striking
white marble is a sight to see. The main feature of the cathedral is the
Madonnina’s spire which is placed at a height of 108.5 meters and was designed
by Francesco. The construction of the cathedral began well back in 1386
and was completed in1965 by which time renovation work was also taking
place along with the construction work.
 There
is an international event that is held annually which is called the Palio.
This is an event held on the second of July and the Sixteenth of August
every year and is facing more controversies in recent years with the ill
treatment meted out to the horses and injuries that the riders suffer from.
The horse race is conducted throughout the city over a set track and has
become a major tourist attraction for tourists from all over the world.
The race is conducted between
the different contradas of Siena; these are made up of the neighborhoods
of the city of Siena. In the ancient times there were seventeen contradas,
each depicted by a design of the contrada.
This is the color and the
arms of the contrada. Although there are seventeen contradas, only ten
horses are allowed to participate in the race. In this year ten contradas
participate, the following race sees the other seven contradas taking part
by default. Three other horses are selected randomly.
The first horse race in the
region began with the Grand Duke Tuscany setting bull fighting as an out
lawful activity. The first Palio took place in the year 1650 and was held
only on the 2nd of July. This day was chosen as it was the day of the feast
of the Visitation. This day was also marked as the day of a local festival
in the honor of Madonna of Provenzano.
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/ Featured
Self-Catering in Siena, Tuscany / Siena
Hotels
About the Author: Orson Johnson
writes for Holiday
Velvet, a website providing listings for bed and breakfasts, hotels,
apartment and villas in Tuscany |
| FEATURED
SIENA, TUSCANY SELF-CATERING / VACATION RENTAL ACCOMMODATION |
|
 |
Villa
Luisa B&B Vacation Rental Apartment, Siena, Tuscany
The
apartment for self-catering, called 'Mansarda', is on the first floor of
what used to be a Chapel. This together with the Villa next to it, was
part of a large farmhouse and their existence has been documented since
the 16th century. Villa Luisa is located 10km south of the city of Siena,
in the Etruscan area, and commands a breathtaking view of of the surrounding
hills (the 'Crete Senesi') and of Siena with its Torre del Mangia, where
the Palio is run twice a year. Situated at the entrance of a hamlet called
'Ville di Corsano', the Villa is reached along a surfaced, very panoramic
road. The Etruscan museum in the charming borough of Murlo is not far,
as well as the town of Monteroni on the Via Cassia (SS.2) leading to Buonconvento
and eventually Rome. |
 |
ANTICO
CASTELLO DI SAN GUSME' (Ref: 21111)
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
self-catering apartment
in CASTELNUOVO BERARDENGA, Italy
The Castle, a beautiful
medieval fortified village, is ideally located in the Chiantishire and
is one of the most characteristic buildings of Tuscany. You'll find
the Castle of San Gusmè in Chianti, a beautiful medieval fortified
village that appears at documents of the IX Century, following the road
from Castelnuovo Berardenga to Baron Ricasoli's Castello di Brolio. San
Gusmé, with its ancient arches and doors, its narrow streets and
its beautiful buildings has kept intact the atmosphere of the 1200, allowing
the tourists to live some unforgettable moments. The apartment is
located at the prestigious Palazzo Braschi, without any doubt one of the
most fascinating buildings of the Village. Sleeps 4. |
 |
Casa
Degli Olivi, Siena Tuscany (Ref: 26686) BEST
BUY!
Self catering apartment
in Cetona, Italy
This one-bedroom, self-contained
apartment sits along side the strada del polaco (SP.321) on the outskirts
of the historic town of Cetona. The apartment is attached to the
owner’s home on this beautiful, organic smallholding overlooking vineyards,
olive trees and sunflowers. It is a 10-15 minute walk to the town
of Cetona where you can have coffee in the piazza with the locals. There
are a few restaurants in the town of Cetona itself. The apartment
has a double-bedded main room, bathroom with shower over bath, a full kitchen
with gas cooker, fridge, wood burning stove, dining table with four chairs,
a large balcony with table and chairs with views over the unspoilt countryside.
The apartment would usually accommodate two people possibly three by arrangement,
as in the main bedroom there is a futon sofa bed. Sleeps 3. |
 |
Casa
Siena (Ref: 30949) RECOMMENDED
Self catering
apartment in Siena, Italy
The apartment
is located in downtown Siena. The apartment is a first-floor in an ancient
XIV century townhouse within the walls of Siena. Located halfway between
the Duomo and the Basilica of San Domenico, the apartment offers views
of the Basilica from both of its bedrooms. The apartment is an ideal base
for a family of four-five that want to experience life in a wonderfully
preserved medieval city.From the apartment, a 5 minute walk leads to the
Duomo. Piazza del Campo is within a 5 minute walk. The nearest parking
lot is half a mile away. From the apartment you don't need a car
to visit nearby Florence or the many Chianti hill towns between the two
cities. Both La Lizza and San Domenico squares, within a 10 minute walk,
offer frequent bus service to a multitude of places within and beyond Tuscany.
Sleeps 5. |
 |
TENUTA
DI CORSANO (Ref: 17954) RECOMMENDED
self-catering
apartment in Siena, Italy
This is a delightful
spot, the traditional setting of the accommodation set off by the soothing,
rural surroundings. Here you can relax by the pool or in the gardens, sipping
a local wine or sampling some of the local delicacies. As well as
your ‘welcome’ meal, there is an opportunity to attend weekly cooking courses
held by Mrs Migone, learning the preparation of such local delights as
wild boar stew. You can bake your own bread in the outside wood-oven, pick
your own vegetables and fruit, and eat out under the brilliantly-starred
sky of Tuscany. The setting is beautiful and romantic, ideal for
wedding receptions and banquets, both of which can be organised by the
owners. The largest of the apartments was recently used as a set for Renzo
Martinelli’s ‘Piazza delle Cinque Lune’ starring Donald Sutherland, Giancarlo
Giannini and F. Murray Abraham. Sleeps 6. |
 |
Tuscany
- Villa Arcaia: a luxury mansion (Ref: 13622) HIGHLY
RECOMMENDED
Self catering
villa in Castiglione del Lago, Italy
Villa Arcaia
is a fine country residence set in a spacious park. It looks out from its
hilltop over idyllic countryside, a patchwork of arable fields, citadels,
lakes and wooded hillsides. The accommodation is highly flexible, able
to cater for all possible requisites on the part of clients. Spread over
three buildings, it comprises four separate and wholly independent units,
able to sleep 23 people in all, with facilities for the disabled. All the
rooms have their own character. The four units vary in size and ensure
that all guests have complete privacy. All the bedrooms are furnished with
taste and provided with heating and air conditioning. It is possible to
book the whole residence or single units catering for 2, 5, 8, 10, 13,
15 or 21 people. Sleeps 20. |
Use
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