Helen Page

Pienza – The Town that Pope Pius II Built

April 12, 2013 By Helen Page

Pienza Was Pope Pius II's Idea of the Perfect City: From our base in the spa town of Chianciano Terme, we took an excursion to Pienza, a small town in the Val d'Orcia in Tuscany. Pienza was Pope Pius II's idea of the perfect Renaissance city and it is also famous for its pecorino … [Read more...]

Galleria dell’Accademia – Home to Michelangelo’s David

April 10, 2013 By Helen Page

The Star Attraction at the Galleria dell'Accademia is Michelangelo's David: For most visitors to Florence, the star attraction of the Galleria dell'Accademia is Michelangelo's David, a representation of the Biblical hero who took on Goliath and killed the fearsome giant with his sling. The … [Read more...]

How to Get to Siena

April 7, 2013 By Helen Page

How to Get to Siena by Air, Bus, Train and Car: Being in the centre of Tuscany, and surrounded by Pisa, Florence, Arezzzo and Grosseto, Siena is easily reachable from any of these Tuscan towns. By Air If you're flying into Italy, the closest international airports to Siena are the … [Read more...]

The Legendary Siena Palio

April 7, 2013 By Helen Page

Steeped in Tradition, the Siena Palio is Celebrated Just as Passionately Today: Siena is well known for its Palio or Il Palio as the locals refer to this famous horse race that is held on July 2 and August 16 each year. If there is anything that gets the Sienese really excited or tense, it is … [Read more...]

Florence: Live from Piazzale Michelangelo

April 5, 2013 By Helen Page

Piazzale Michelangelo Offers Magnificent and Sweeping Views of Florence: http://www.youtube.com/v/iksXzQUTJac For a magnificent panoramic view of Florence, most tourists head to Piazzale Michelangelo, a square that's dedicated to the great Renaissance sculptor. Piazzale Michelangelo is on a hill … [Read more...]

Libreria Piccolomini – A Stunning Room of Renaissance Art

April 4, 2013 By Helen Page

Pinturicchio's Paintings in the Libreria Piccolomini are Simply Stunning: Connected to the Siena Duomo is the Libreria Piccolomini (Piccolomini Library), a small room with the most stunning frescoes and a magnificent collection of hymn books. If you're visiting Siena and its beautiful … [Read more...]

Getting Advice on Brunello di Montalcino Wines in Siena

April 2, 2013 By Helen Page

At Cantina del Brunello in Siena We Got Great Advice on Brunello Wines: On our walk back to Piazza San Domenico, where our coach was waiting, we came across a wine cellar that had a large selection of what looked like quality wines. It was the 'Brunello' in name of the shop - Cantina del … [Read more...]

Siena Shopping: What to Buy in Siena

April 1, 2013 By Helen Page

Shopping in Siena is Surprisingly Good: Siena may not be known as a shopping destination, however those who want to shop will be surprised at what this medieval hill town has to offer. Not only are there souvenir shops, arts and crafts, food and wine, but there are also small trendy boutiques … [Read more...]

The Siena Duomo is Unique and Stunningly Beautiful

March 30, 2013 By Helen Page

Siena Duomo or Siena Cathedral is an Art Lover's Paradise on Earth: Italy has so many beautiful and historic churches and duomos that sometimes visitors do get cathedraled out on their Italian holidays. But no matter how weary you are in Siena, do not miss out on the Siena Duomo because Siena's … [Read more...]

Siena – Famous for its Medieval Heritage and the Palio

March 27, 2013 By Helen Page

Siena - Home of the Palio and Panforte Capital of Italy: At the heart of central Tuscany lies Siena, a hill town that is famous the world over for its Palio and the Siena cake or panforte. Siena was built on three ridges which converge into the famous scallop-shaped central square, the Piazza … [Read more...]