Daytrips from Siena recommended by Hotel Santa Caterina
If your are planning a holiday in Tuscany, there are many cities that you may visit during your trip, and these are just a few suggestions in case your base will be Siena. Especially if you're planning to organize day-trips from Siena, the ideal way to move around Tuscany is by car. So, before getting into the list of cities you may want to visit from you should look for a car rental and then plan your mini-tours through the amazing surroundings of Siena.
Florence
If I were you, I would choose Florence as the first stage of the day-trips from Siena. Florence is known worldwide as "the City of Arts" and actually it offers lots to see, so you should plan your visit carefully and make a list of the monuments and all the interesting things you would like to see, otherwise you may get lost! The Cathedral "Santa Maria del Fiore" is one of the most photogenic church in town. It is famous all over the world because of its grandeur and it is an example of Gothic architecture in Florence, but there are also other less touristic churches that hold artistic masterpieces as well.
Another must see in Florence is the "Uffizi Gallery", where you can see the Renaissance paintings, such as Michelangelo works, Botticelli, Giotto, Piero della Francesca and many others.
The "Ponte Vecchio" is another great attraction in Florence. This bridge was built in the narrowest part of the Arno river and all around Ponte Vecchio there are many jeweller's shops that shine brightly and hold beautifully crafted jewels.
San Gimignano
From Siena you can easely set a day-trip towards the medieval towns of San Gimignano and Monteriggioni.
San Gimignano is part of the Unesco World Heritage sites and it is really appreciated for its Medieval historical centre and its towers. Here you should visit the "Palazzo Vecchio del Podestà" dated 1100 or the "Torre Grossa".
Moreover, San Gimignano's tourist guides plan every day small group tours to the Cathedral and the Museums of the city, if you want to enjoy a guided tour, it is recommended to call the guide for information or booking. Here's a site where you may find more infos about tours and touristic services.
Monteriggioni
Reaching Monteriggioni is even easier from Siena: it takes just 15 minutes by car. Monteriggioni is a well preserved medieval village whose Castle was founded as a strategic point to defend Siena against Florence military attacks. Here you may visit the village and its walls and the "Museum of armors" which shows medieval and Renaissance arms. Watching this stronghold from outside is probably as beautiful as watching the panorama from walls: a real jewel, that also Dante decided to cite in its Divine Comedy.
Volterra
Volterra could be another great location for your daily trip from Siena. This used to be an important city in the past, situated in a strategic position, on the top of a hill looking down tothe valley that stretches to the Tyrrhenian sea. While visiting the this ancient town in a daytrip you may visit the Cathedral, the alabaster workshops, the Roman Theater and the Medici Fortress. Volterra has become famous worldwide lately as the movie set of "New Moon" of the movie of the "Twilight saga". In case, you're interested in this tours, you better book it on-line in advance, so that you'll join one of the small group tours through this particular angle of Volterra. The guided tour consists of the visit of the city center of Volterra, the "Etruscan Guarnacci Museum" and a tour in the basement of the Volturi.
The Orcia Valley and Montepulciano
Moreover Siena is particularly loved by its visitors, thanks to its valleys, such as the Orcia Valley, which derives its name from the Orcia river which crosses the valley from Siena to Grosseto.
You'd probably be impressed by the silvery landscapes of the valley: olive groves, vineyards, hills, rural houses and medieval cities. This area is also famous for its wine, such as the Montepulciano or the Brunello of Montalcino. Here you may reach by car the village of Montepulciano, which is defined "the jewel of 1500", thanks to its monuments dated from Middle Ages and the Renaissance, such as the Castle, the Cathedral. After the city tour, a bath in the spa waters of Montepulciano may be the best way to end your day-trip.