Preview
Sightseeing in Siena is my personal favourite among all the Tuscan cities. When I first visited, the city simply would not let me go. I knew I had to return one day, perhaps even for a longer stay.
A few years later, I had the opportunity to do just that, spending a month studying at the city’s state university specifically dedicated to international students. It was an unforgettable experience to see everyday life in Siena, witness the preparations for the Palio horse race, and experience the celebrations that continue for days after a victory.
At the time, many questions arose in my mind, and I only found the answers later during my studies. In Siena, I continued learning from local tour guides through a series of professional training courses. Every winter, when there was less work for tour guides, I returned. I watched, studied, searched and asked questions.
Siena is an extraordinary city, but it can be difficult for visitors to fully understand, which is why I always recommend exploring it with a guide. The Palio, which permeates every aspect of the city, the Cathedral’s esoteric and alchemical references, and Siena’s centuries-old rivalry with Florence can still be seen and felt in its walls, paving stones and squares.
Visiting Siena is like travelling back in time. Its Gothic houses help us imagine how people lived in the wealthy and independent Republic of Siena during the Middle Ages. The Cathedral is another powerful expression of the city’s wealth and influence, while its famous shell-shaped main square, divided into nine sections, is the setting for the Palio.
What can make a visit to Siena truly special is the opportunity to visit a contrada museum, something rarely accessible to visitors and usually only possible with special permission. These museums are mainly known to locals, and stepping inside offers a unique opportunity to understand what the Palio really means in everyday Sienese life. (Please contact me for further details.)
For those who are also curious about local gastronomy and would like to taste sweet and savoury specialities made according to traditions that are hundreds of years old, I can take you to a family-run bakery located beneath a 500-year-old palace. Here, they will enthusiastically show and explain everything worth tasting.
It is a fantastic experience, and one I wholeheartedly recommend.
For further details, please contact me.
Practical Information
Duration
3 hours
Sights Along the Walking Tour
Basilica of San Domenico, Sanctuary of Saint Catherine, the streets of the Oca (Goose) Contrada, Siena Cathedral with the Piccolomini Library (admission ticket required), Piazza del Campo
Optional Additional Programmes
Tasting of local sweet and savoury specialities at a local bakery, Visit to a contrada museum (recommended for groups) ,Visit to the Archives (mornings only)
Review
Open, Knowledgeable and Empathetic
“We discovered Eszter during the Covid period. I don’t think she could possibly have realised just how much she gave to those listening to her through her knowledge and dedication. Perhaps her modesty would not allow her to realise it either.
And we could never have imagined that experiencing all this in person would offer even more! Open, knowledgeable and empathetic. Thank you for everything, Eszter!”
