This is my holiday home in Siena, my home town. I have tried to tell you everything you need to know in my description, but please do not hesitate to ask me questions before booking - I am fluent in English, French and Italian.
The flat is on the ground floor, on the same level as the street so coming in with suitcases/pushchairs/prams/heavy shopping is like a dream - something to consider as very few old buildings in the centre of Siena have got lifts.
As you enter there is a large wardrobe room where you can hang your coats, put your shoes and store your suitcases, so that they do not clutter the flat.
The flat has a large living room, with a double sofa bed, an armchair and 2 single beds dressed as sofa; this becomes the fourth bedroom if you are a large group. The living room opens to a small covered loggia.
The kitchen is small, but still has a 4-ring hob and normal size oven, plus a dishwasher and large fridge - if you are like me, you may however find yourself doing very little cooking as it is so easy to go out to a restaurant from the flat or buy a cold meal at the many delis. The table in the kitchen sits 8 very comfortably.
Along the corridor there are 3 bedrooms; one double (with two single beds that can be made into a double if required), one very small single or twin (using the pull out bed underneath the single) and a very large double with a little terrace overlooking the garden and the back of the old hospital and the cathedral's bell tower - this is a very pleasant room, where my partner, an artist, sits to draw during the day and likes to take an aperitif watching the sunset.
There are 2 bathrooms in the flat, one small and one large, with bathtub and separate shower cubicle, as well as washing machine - two or three family members can easily use it at the same time.
The flat is great for families and a cot, highchair and pram can be provided on request. It is not wheelchair accessible, but OK for people who find stairs difficult as there are one 2 steps to go into the kitchen and bedroom and another 2 to access the large bathroom (no steps from the bedrooms to the small bathroom). The flat is large enough for long stays.
The flat has WIFI, with a stable and reliable connection (I have used it for work meetings with no problems), though not necessarily super fast.
The whole flat overlooks the very large garden at the back, originally planted in the romantic style, which I am in the process of replanting; this does mean that there is no traffic noise. As everywhere else in Siena, however, you may hear music and/or singing, especially during the days around the Palios (the historical horse race - 2 July and 16 August) or when shows are held in the city. The windows are new and well insulated and you can always join the festivities!
There is no air-conditioning in the flat - I personally do not like it but it is also true that the flat is in a very old building with very thick walls and high ceilings so I do not think that it gets too hot.
Please note the obvious: the more you are the less comfortable you are going to be. The flat is large (125m2), but a group of more than 6 people require using the living room as a bedroom.
Please also note that this is my family's holiday home, not a luxury hotel. It has not undergone a complete refurbishment and still has many quirks that reflect the age of the property. In particular, both bathrooms and kitchen are new but the floors are not.
SPECIAL NOTE ON PALIO: The race is held on 2 July and 16 August every year. Mine is the perfect flat to attend the race as you can walk everywhere and come back to it easily for some peace and quiet. However, please note that I have a minimum stay of 4 nights around those dates; this is because I strongly believe that if you want to experience the race you have to live the whole run up to it - indeed a full week would be preferable as surely you also want to see all the art as well in Siena. It really does not make sense to just come for a day - the Palio is not for tourists, who are only mildly tolerated, so either be prepare to live it as Sienese do or come to visit Siena at other, quieter times. Finally, please bear in mind that traffic and even pedestrian routes are severely restricted on the days around the palio so the logistics of arriving and departing during those days are complicated.
