This comprehensive travel guide invites you into the heart of Siena—one of Italy’s most beautifully preserved medieval cities and a place where history is not displayed, but lived. Nestled in the Tuscan hills, Siena reveals itself in quiet layers: through terracotta alleys, the communal rhythm of the Piazza del Campo, and the enduring pride of the city’s contrade—its fiercely loyal neighborhood communities. More than a collection of sights, Siena is an immersive experience. From the luminous marble of the Duomo to the civic grandeur of the Palazzo Pubblico, from traditional dishes of handmade pici to the deep ritual of the Palio horse race, the city’s culture is integrated, intact, and irresistibly authentic. This guidebook is designed not only to show you where to go, but to help you understand what you’re seeing. Structured for both practical navigation and cultural depth, the guide includes essential travel planning tools—transportation options, visa and health advice, accommodation recommendations, and seasonal travel tips. It offers clearly organized chapters on Siena’s iconic landmarks, countryside excursions, dining customs, and outdoor activities, from walking the city’s ancient walls to hot-air ballooning over the Tuscan hills. For thoughtful travelers, it provides context: the historical evolution of Siena as an independent republic, insights into regional art and architecture, and respectful explanations of the customs that still shape daily life. Suggested itineraries—ranging from one-day cultural highlights to multi-day countryside escapes—make this guide equally useful for short visits and in-depth stays. Unlike many tourist-saturated destinations, Siena has preserved its soul. It remains a place where tradition is not reconstructed, but sustained. This guide offers the insight and structure to explore Siena not as a checklist of attractions, but as a coherent, living city with an unbroken link to its past. Whether you are arriving for the first time or returning to deepen your experience, this book is your companion—offering clarity, orientation, and a lens through which the spirit of Siena comes sharply into focus. Walk its streets with understanding, and you’ll discover a city that rewards attention with enduring memory.