Home of the Palio, the unique, world-famous horse race, Siena has, like its historic rival Florence, seen its fair share of Renaissance splendour. But it’s the city’s Gothic masterpieces that stand out, like the Palazzo Pubblico with its Torre del Mangia in the Piazza del Campo – one of the most extraordinary public spaces in Italy.

Siena’s beautiful Duomo is a Renaissance masterwork endowed with priceless art and architectural works, like Donatello’s Saint John the Baptist or, in the Baptistry, Ghiberti’s Arrest of John the Baptist and Dontaello's Banquet of Herod. Also worth a visit are the State Archives and the Pinacoteca Nazionale.

The area around Siena is of course a magnet for lovers of food and wine. As well as sipping on Brunello, Chianti and Vernaccia di San Gimignano, you should taste some local specialities like ribollita and panzanella and the wonderful Sienese fruit cake, panforte.