Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
sharpen your orientation by climbing the 400 steps of Torre del Mangia, home to pulse-
quickening views of the city. The tower, built on Piazza del Campo in 1344, was at the
time a remarkable engineering feat and one of the tallest nonsectarian towers in Italy.
From Siena, head on to the fairy-tale medieval towers of
San Gimignano,
a town often
dubbed the 'medieval Manhattan' for its dizzying historic skyline. Arrive late in the day
so you can enjoy the tiny hill town without the strain of crowds.
On day eight make a slow procession to
Pienza
then skirt the southern shore of
Lago
Trasimeno
to reach
Assisi
, where you can admire those Giotto frescoes that caused such
a stir in the Middle Ages. Slip into the Romanesque Basilica di Santa Chiara, home to the
very cross that reputedly spoke to St Francis. More ethereal energy lingers inside the San-
tuario di San Damiano, considered the very spot where Assisi's famous saint first heard
the voice of God. You'll want at least two days to do them justice before heading south-
east to end with the lavish, mosaic-clad cathedral in
Orvieto.
