Via della Biccherna, 7, Siena

The historic centre of Siena is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city sits amid the Sienese Hills: immediate surroundings are agricultural hills with vineyards and olive groves. The river Arbia and the Val d'Arbia lie to the south-east of the city. Monteriggioni, a medieval walled hill town, is about 10 km north-west. The area is known for the Palio di Siena (the biannual horse race in Piazza del Campo), medieval architecture, the cathedral and civic museums. The surrounding countryside produces Tuscan wines (including Chianti Colli Senesi labels in the wider area) and olive oil. There are no local ski lifts; the nearest ski area is on Monte Amiata roughly 50–70 km away by road. Siena hosts a historic university (University of Siena), a regional hospital and a rail station with connections toward Florence and Chiusi.