Palazzo Manfredi - Siena
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.
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