Italy is famous for many tourist attractions: the Vatican City and Museum, the canals of Venice, the cosmopolitan fashions of Milan, and the sunny beaches of Capri. But it also has many half-hidden treasures, little known to most tourists. One of them is the town of Sienna.

Sienna is about an hour’s drive away from the city of Florence. It has some of the finest examples of Gothic architecture, and retains some of the charm and serenity of a medieval town. In fact, cars are banned in the city—a move that helps visitors feel that they have stepped into another time.

Sienna is a fortified city, its walls seemingly protecting it from the onslaught of the ages. Many visitors realize that this is how Italy must have been like in the past. It has two music schools, and the sound of the violins and the piano can sometimes be heard as you walk down its cobbled streets. All in all, it is a wonderful place to relax and enjoy a peaceful, quiet weekend.

When you go to Sienna, be sure to enjoy one of your meals at the Piazza del Campo, where you can survey the scenery–including the romantic façade of the Duomo Cathedral, towering in the distance. The cathedral was done in the Gothic style of architecture. In fact, all the houses in the town use this style, making it one of the finest examples of this proud period in art history.

Siena is also known for the Il Palio bareback horse race. The event kicks off a few days before the race proper, where bands march through the “enemy” neighborhoods and challenge them. The actual race is a heart-thumping affair, which many feel are more exciting than the running of the bulls.

Siena is the ideal destination for those who are tired of the crowds and the overhyped tourist spots, and would like “a vacation from a vacation”. Spend two days here, just to relax and clear your head; rediscover what it feels like to slow down and savor the moment. Because of the proximity to Florence, it makes a good day trip scheduled right before your return back home. After you’ve seen the paintings, taken pictures of the ruins, eaten in the fine restaurants and done all the “tourist” things, Siena can help you actually rest away from the hustle and bustle of the crowds. It may be the most refreshing part of your trip.