"Our first weekend trip of the year was to Siena, Italy. This city was much different than the other Italian cities I had visited. The most amazing area to me was to the beautiful, open Piazza del Campo. After spending the morning learning of the great stories of the once powerful Republic of Siena, we all sat down for an amazing Tuscan meal. We ate delicious home- made fresh pasta, drank the wine of the region, and played with our singing waiters. It was the perfect way to start off the semester!" Sophia, FYA 2018-19

Siena, one of the most notable Tuscan cities, is only about an hour’s drive from Florence. Spread over sprawling Tuscan hills, it is located towards the confines of the famous Chianti region, which lies between Siena and Florence itself. The city is breathtaking for a number of reasons: The medieval architecture, the Duomo of Siena (which mirrors that of Florence), the Piazza del Campo known as the heart of the city, and even the bi-annual horse race- an 800 year old tradition- are all part of what attracts crowds to this city each year.

Students will arrive in Siena mid-morning and visit the Duomo, constructed in 1215. They will learn about the façade and architecture of the Duomo which is said to be one of the most fascinating in all of Italy. The interior houses famous works of art, from Donatello to Michelangelo, and the chapels found within are intricate and full of frescoes.

The next stop will be the Opera del Duomo next door, which houses various works of art that at one time were inside the duomo. Afterwards a walk towards the Campo, a piazza that is regarded throughout Europe for its architecture and its rich history. Students will learn about how the architecture also symbolized the aristocratic families that ruled Siena, as well as hear about their turbulent history.

The story moves on, towards the Civic Museum, also located in the Piazza del Campo, where students will learn more intricacies of the once powerful Republic of Siena. The museum is located inside a 13th century palace and its walls are covered in history- frescoes that tell stories of the ‘good’ and ‘bad’ republic.

Students will then enjoy what many consider the best lunch they’ll have in Tuscany- Siena cuisine is renowned as being one the most authentic Tuscan cuisines, and students will be introduced to the plates of pici pasta, chianti wine, singing waiters and second and third helpings of the pasta freshly made that day. The meal at the trattoria is a cultural experience of its own but combined with the sites of the day it truly makes for a well-rounded experience.