The fair city of Siena stands at the centre of this geographically varied province. To the east of Siena, the gentle vine-clad hills of Chianti give way to the empty landscape of the Crete, and further south, to the Val d' Orcia and the wooded slopes of Tuscany's highest mountain, Monte Amiata. To the east of Siena is San Gimignano, whose bristling towers and perfectly preserved medieval streets have made it into a hollow tourist trap.

This region has some of the best farmhouses and castles that have been converted into stylish hotels which are now strewn across the Chianti hills as well as a variety of accommodation in all corners of the region, and in the towns of Siena, San Gimignano, Pienza and Monteriggioni.