Siena (Tuscany);  pop. 50,000 [ MAP ]

 

Good buys: Tuscany is famous for its gold, earthenware, leather and wicker products

There are many wonderful shops and products in Siena:
 

• Ceramics. There are quite a number of places to buy Tuscan ceramic
  products.
   

• Hand woven clothing. (Tessuto a mano) -
   

• Prints.
   

• Ricciarelli are the typical lemon-almond cookies of Siena. They are covered with icing sugar. Some are covered with dark chocolate. "Ricciarelli" probably originate from marzipan cakes.
   

• Panforte [pahn-for-teh]: It is a specialty of Siena dating back to the 13th century, that is a cross between fruit cake, candy, and honey cakes. The name panforte, "strong bread," is due to its strongly spicy flavor. In Italy it's also called Siena cake. Originally a Christmas pastry, panforte is now enjoyed year round by Italian cuisine enthusiasts. Panforte Margherita is the classic, but several other types are made.
   

• Castagnaccio (Hard to find. A torte made with chestnut flour and pine nuts and rosemary, only made in the fall and winter months)