Siena is a fascinating and elegant city full of history, art and of course wonderful food. However, it can be daunting to know where to go, what to do, and how to find anything that's not already listed in a guidebook. In this 2-hour Welcome to Siena Tour, we want to share our city with you: what makes it different and special, and how to feel like a local while you are there. Ideal for your day of arrival, or very beginning of your trip, whether it's your first visit or your fifth, our Welcome To series is designed to orient you to the neighborhood you are staying in, as well as the city itself.

Our Context docent will meet you in the lobby of your hotel or in front of your apartment, armed with maps, guidebooks and other materials. The first hour will be spent in a nearby cafe, using these materials to acclimate you to the neighborhood and to help you understand where you are staying in relation to the layout of the city. If you have booked additional walks with us, our docent will bring your itinerary with them, in order to answer any questions you might have about transportation (e.g. walking vs bus), location and directions. Do you want to know the ideal time of day to visit certain museums or the best hole-in-the-wall restaurant to eat authentic Tuscan food? We will provide you with plenty of recommendations and insider's tips to fill your time in Siena.

Next we will head out into the neighborhood, popping our heads into any places that pique our interest, from the bar where you can get the best cappuccino in the morning, to a nearby church which will undoubtedly have an interior worth noting, showing you what makes your neighborhood special and so authentically Sienese. We will explain local customs (How do you buy produce in the local market? What's the correct word for that breakfast pastry glistening with sugar? What is the local aperitivo of choice? Where do I find shops selling authentic crafts?) and share with you a bit of the area's history.

During these two hours together you will have the unique opportunity to take from our docent's knowledge, expertise, and love for their city all you need to shape your stay. In order to get the best out of our time together, we recommend you let us know what it is that you would like to learn/experience while in Siena. We want you to love the city as much as we do!

Looking for more to do in Siena? Try our Siena Tour or Siena Palio Tour.

This experience is part of our Welcome To series which aims to orient first-time visitors to Context cities.