Page 80 - Lonely Planet Europe’s Best Trips (Travel Guide)

Torre Argentina), the best Mangia (%0577 29 26 15;
preserved of Rome’s TRIP HIGHLIGHT Palazzo Comunale, Piazza del
ancient monuments. One Campo 1; €10; h10am-7pm
of the most influential 2 Siena summer, to 4pm winter) soars
buildings in the world, Siena is one of Italy’s above the Gothic Palazzo
this domed temple, now most enchanting medi- Pubblico (Palazzo
a church, is an extraordi- eval towns. Its walled Comunale), home to the
nary sight with its mar- centre, a beautifully city’s finest art museum,
tial portico and soaring preserved warren of dark the Museo Civico (%0577
interior. lanes, Gothic palazzi 29 26 15; Palazzo Comunale,
(mansions) and pretty Piazza del Campo 1; adult/
54 p41, p86
piazzas, is centred on reduced €9/8; h10am-7pm
The Drive » The easiest route Piazza del Campo summer, to 6pm winter). Of
to Siena, about three hours (known as Il Campo), Siena’s churches, the one
away, is via the A1 autostrada. the sloping shell-shaped to see is the 13th-century
Join this from the Rome ring square that stages the Duomo (www.operaduomo.
road, the GRA (Grande Raccordo siena.it; Piazza del Duomo;
Anulare), and head north, past city’s annual horse race,
Orvieto’s dramatic cliff-top Il Palio, on 2 July and 16 summer/winter €4/free, when
cathedral, to the Valdichiano August. floor displayed €7; h10.30am-
exit. Take this and follow signs On the piazza, the 7pm Mon-Sat,1.30-6pm Sun
for Siena. 102m-high Torre del summer, 10.30am-5.30pm
Mon-Sat, 1.30-5.30pm Sun
ITALY 5 WORLD HERITAGE WONDERS
winter), one of Italy’s
greatest Gothic churches.
DETOUR: Highlights include the
SAN GIMIGNANO remarkable white, green
and red facade, and,
Start: 2 Siena inside, the magnificent
Dubbed the medieval Manhattan thanks to its 15 inlaid marble floor that
11th-century towers, San Gimignano is a classic illustrates historical and
hilltop town and an easy detour from Siena. biblical stories.
From the car park next to Porta San Giovanni, it’s a 54 p86
short walk up to Palazzo Comunale (%0577 28 63
00; Piazza del Duomo 2; adult/reduced €6/5; h9.30am-7pm The Drive » There are two
summer, 11am-5.30pm winter), which houses the town’s alternatives to get to Florence.
art gallery, the Pinacoteca, and tallest tower, the The quickest, which is via
Torre Grossa. Nearby, the Romanesque basilica, the fast RA3 Siena–Firenze
known as the Collegiata (Duomo or Basilica di Santa Raccordo, takes about 1½ hours.
But if you have the time, we
Maria Assunta; Piazza del Duomo; adult/reduced €4/2; recommend the scenic SR222,
h10am-7pm Mon-Fri, to 5pm Sat, 12.30-7pm Sun summer, which snakes through the
10am-4.30pm Mon-Sat ,12.30-4.30pm Sun winter), boasts Chianti wine country, passing
some remarkable Ghirlandaio frescoes. through quintessential hilltop
Before leaving town, be sure to sample the local towns and vine-laden slopes.
Vernaccia wine at the Museo del Vino (www. Reckon on at least 2½ hours for
sangimignanomuseovernaccia.com; Via di Fugnano 19; this route.
h11.30am-6.30pm Apr-Oct) next to the Rocca (fortress).
San Gimignano is about 40km northwest of Siena.
Head for Florence on the RA3 until Poggibonsi and 3 Florence
then pick up the SS429. Cradle of the Renais-
sance and home of

78