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Palazzo Manfredi - Siena
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Flats accommodate 2 or 4 - 1-2BR,
1-2BA
To immerse oneself for a week or more in the heart
of Siena’s centro storico must be one of life’s
great indulgences. No longer off the beaten path, Siena manages
its influx of tourists with dignity and efficiency. The center
really is off-limits to traffic, and exceptions are not granted
to virtually anyone, as in Florence or in Rome. The absence
of traffic alone renders Siena one of Italy’s most gracious
small cities.
The Palazzo Manfredi is a Renaissance
palace smack in the middle of everything. Owned by the same
Sienese family which produced two of the twelve Piuses, the
Palazzo Manfredi lies within a 2- to 10-minute walk of virtually
everything you want to see in Siena: the Campo, where the
world-famous Palio takes place every July and August; the
Duomo and its splendid museum; the church of San Domenico;
and the Pinacoteca. Not to mention Italy’s premier music
conservatory, the Accademia Chigiana, which plays host to
a wonderful program of visiting musicians throughout the year.
On a practical level, staying at the Palazzo Manfredi means
you’re just a few steps away from restaurants, coffee
bars, banks, post office, grocer, bakery, butcher – absolutely
everything you need for full immersion in the daily life of
a real Italian city.
Finally, Siena makes a splendid base from which to visit the
marvels of Chianti country, as well as Florence, only an hour
away by express bus. But most of all, you get to explore the
area south of Siena, which we happen to think is Italy’s
most beautiful, and far less touristed than overrated Chianti.
We mean the area of the crete senesi and the Val d’Orcia.
Wonderful places like Montalcino, Pienza, Montepulciano, and
San Quirico d’Orcia. Unforgettable Bagno Vignoni, where
Tarkovsky filmed Nostalghia. And three of our absolute favorite
sights in all of the Italian countryside: ruined Cistercian
church of SanGalgano, and the abbeys of Sant’Antimo and
Monte Oliveto Maggiore.
Do you need a car to see all
that stuff? Probably it’s a good idea. But the reality
is they’re all reachable via bus or minor train lines
from Siena. How about parking in Siena? Difficult, but not
impossible, as there are numerous and very good municipal
parking garages which issue permits good for a week.
The Palazzo Manfredi houses
four delightful flats on its top floor, conveniently reached
by elevator. All are quiet and light and feature independent
heating and air-conditioning, dishwasher, washing machine,
telephone, and television. Maid service is available.
Duccio. 1BR, 1BA.
Open-plan living/dining/kitchen. Separate bedroom with unifiable
twin beds. Bathroom with shower only. Views of city walls
and countryside beyond.
Simone. 1BR, 1BA.
An under-the-eaves feeling characterized the Simone flat,
with exposed beams, cotto floors, and skylights. Open-plan
living/kitchen/dining. Separate bedroom with unifiable twin
beds. Bath with shower.
Jacopo. 1BR, 1BA.
Lovely flat which features a working fireplace in its open-plan
living/ dining/kitchen. Separate bedroom with unifiable twin
beds. Bath with shower.
Caterina. 2BR, 2BA.
Larger flat ideal for a family or for two couples. Long rectangular
living/ dining room with kitchen area separated by a counter.
Beamed ceilings and cotto floors. One matrimonial bedroom,
one bedroom with unifiable twin beds. Two baths, one with
shower only, one with shower over tub. Nice views.
Call or email Vacanza Bella for current rates.
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