Siena Luxury Hotels & Destination
Siena Italy Luxury Destination
Siena, a beautiful city nestled in the hills of Tuscany has a pleasant Mediterranean climate and welcomes luxury hotel guests to this birthplace of the Italian Renaissance. Just as famous for its wines and culinary tradition, there is great delight in choosing Siena as a luxury hotel destination.
Siena Luxury Hotels
Siena abounds with history and elegance, so make your vacation the same by selecting one of Siena's luxury hotels. You can stay in a lovely Renaissance luxury hotel built in the 1600's with beautiful guest suites recently renovated and equipped with modern comforts and technology. Luxury guest also have the fabulous opportunity to choose a five star experience in a hundred year old grand hotel that has seen royalty grace its halls. Each Siena luxury hotel offers sophisticated service and elegant ambiance.
Siena History
Legend says that Siena was founded by Senio and Ascanio, sons of Remus of the famous duo Romulus and Remus, founders of Rome. Although many statues of the wolf feeding the twins are visible throughout Siena, this legend is without historical foundation. Rather, Siena was founded by the Etruscans and was a Roman colony at the time of Emperor Augustus.
The Lombards invaded Siena in the 6th century and along with the Franks, governed the city for the next 500 years. Church influence played a large role in Siena’s early period. The Via Fancigena, the road that linked Rome and France, was built and the pilgrims that travelled the road added to the wealth of Siena.
Siena achieved independence from church control and by 1179 had adopted a written constitution. Merchants flooded the newly free city and commerce flourished. During this period the Siena Cathedral (Duomo) was completed as well as the Piazza del Campo. The Piazza del Campo is now regarded as one of the most beautiful civic spaces in Europe. Siena's university founded in 1240 and is famous for its faculties of law and medicine.
This new wealth and power put Siena in a collision course with its rival city Florence. A number of battles between the two cities were fought. The most notable, from the Sienese point of view, was the battle of Monteaperti which took place on September 4, 1260. An army of 20,000 Sienese defeated the Florentine army of 33,000. To this day, when the two cities meet at sporting events, the Sienese is likely to exhort their Florentine counterparts to 'Remember Monteaperti'.
Siena was hit hard by the Buonsignori bank collapse in the year 1298. This ruined many of Siena’s families and put the economy in jeopardy. Siena was next hit with the famine of 1326 and the plague in 1349 that claimed thousands of victims. Siena never seriously challenged Florence again.
France and Spain fought over possession of Siena for much of the 1400's and early 1500's... Finally in 1557 the Spanish, then in control of Siena, were forced by economic conditions to sell Siena to the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. In 1861 Siena, together with the rest of Tuscany, was absorbed into the new kingdom of Italy.
Siena Attractions
Siena is famous for its large fan-shaped Piazza del Campo. Luxury hotel visitor will be awed by the beauty and architectural integrity that it is known for. Home to the famous summer horse-race, known as Il Palio, it was run for the first time in 1701 in honor of the "Madonna dell'Assunta" the patroness and Advocate of Siena through all the tragic events since she protected Siena’s militia at the famous battle of Monteaperti.
Siena's cathedral, the Duomo, was built in stages. The main building was constructed between 1215 and 1263. The facade was begun in 1284 and finally completed in 1380. It was originally meant to be much larger, but the city suffered financially during its construction and the east-west aisle was never completed.
Siena’s Palazzo Pubblico is considered one of the finest examples of gothic secular architecture. Formerly the residence of the city’s Signoria, or Podestà, the building is now the seat of the town council. Of all the buildings that look onto Piazza del Campo, the Palazzo Pubblico is the most imposing and stands as the natural centre of the square’s architectural perspective.
Following an itinerary that runs from the Loggia della Mercanzia to the 13th century church of Sant’Agostino along Via di Città is one of the best ways for luxury hotel visitors to fully understand and absorb the unique Medieval Siena flavor. You will be treated to architecture from as early as the 14th century. Your Siena luxury hotel concierge can assist with highlights on the route if time is limited.
Tuscany is known for its fine wines. Chianti is almost synonymous with Tuscany and during a day touring wine country, luxury hotel visitors will discover Tignanello, Sassicala and even Brunello as alternative choices.
Siena luxury hotel guests will find golfing delightful in the always pleasant Tuscan weather. The wide variety of courses includes climbs over the rolling hills or a course near the coast with warm breezes blowing off of the Mediterranean during your game.
Rich in history, Siena has a number of first class museums for luxury hotel history buffs to visit. Find fine examples of Romantic, Gothic and Pre-Renaissance period paintings, sculpture and architecture. The many cathedrals are museums in themselves. The Siena Civic Museum, Siena’s National Picture Gallery and Contemporary Art Centre are just a few to consider. The Siena Children’s Art Museum is designed to offer children exposure to art.
Siena Shopping
Siena is filled with one of a kind boutiques and shops, perfect for the avid luxury hotel shopper. You will want to wander down any of the three main streets: Via di Citta, Banchi di Sopra and Via Dei Montanini. Stop at a pizza shop or gelateria between every few shops, for sustenance or refreshments while browsing. Bargains are found in July and February, as in these months shop keepers reduce prices from 20 to 50% to move inventory.
Besides individual shops, there is an open air market held at the La Lizza every Wednesday from 8 AM until 1 PM. Stylish clothing and house wares abound or luxury hotel guests can be Italian for the day and shop for fruits, vegetables and Italian cheeses.
Siena is a delight for luxury hotel visitors seeking fine art. There are dozens of galleries with art of all types. Most close either Sunday or Monday so check with your luxury hotel concierge before heading out. Antiques are also popular items for luxury hotel guests to purchase in downtown Siena.
Siena Dining
While the Etruscans may have left Siena, their delicious cuisine remains. The Tuscan countryside reveals to the luxury hotel guest some of the key ingredients used in Siena: olive groves with their silvery sheen, fairytale forests of chestnut trees, hillsides blanketed in grape vines, placid sheep lolling among ruins, fragrant rosemary and sage bushes lining gardens.
Tuscan, and Siena in particular, is known for its bistecca all fiorentina, a thickly cut steak cooked over coals and flavored with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Most of the meat dishes on a Tuscan menu contain wild game. Duck, rabbit, and wild boar are popular, as is tripe. While Tuscans enjoy many cheeses, pecorino, made from sheep's milk, is king.
Restaurants in Siena are typical of their Tuscan heritage. From the ubiquitous bakeries and gelaterias to opulent dining establishments, Siena has it all. In many restaurants, hungry luxury hotel guests can just ask your waiter to bring what is best for that night. Each restaurant has its specialty so let them prepare and serve it for a meal to remember. Your Siena luxury hotel concierge can make recommendations and reservations if necessary.
Siena is a wonderful luxury hotel destination where the past meets the present. A well orchestrated itinerary with fabulous dining will provide the luxury hotel travel with treasured memories of Siena.
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