Siena (Tuscany);  pop. 50,000 [ MAP ]

SUGGESTIONS

• Nannini cafè is a great spot for a coffee or lunch. There are sandwiches and the to-die-for buffet with amazing sweets. When you're away from home, sometimes you need a simple meal to keep the budget down.
   
• Enoteca Italiana: This wine bar has an excellent cellar, which also serves as Italy’s museo del vino. You can choose from wines all over Italy and sample by the bottle or glass. Have a light snack and relax in this wonderful space located under the Medici fortress.  The good thing about this enoteca is that it is open till late.  In the winter time, there is also a piano bar.   Prices are very reasonable.
   
• Consorzio Agrario, Via Pianigiani 15, Siena center - Farmers from the Tuscan area sell their best products here.
   
• Antica Pizzicheria al Palazzo della Chigiana, Via di Citta 93/95 (near the Duomo) -Siena center - A heaven for salami and other “insaccati” (cured meat such as prosciutto etc) products. In addition, there are fresh pastas, homemade sauces and many specialties conserved in oil.
   
• Join Siena’s smart set on their evening passeggiata along the city’s swankiest street, Banchi di Sopra (13). Here you’ll find all the designer names you associate with Italy, such as Armani and Max-Mara, plus plenty of independent boutiques. Or stroll up Via di Citta (14) for colorful majolica ceramics and shops selling handmade paper, leather good sand gorgeously arrayed foods, including pungent pecorino cheeses and wild-boar salami.