Once you have checked in at your Siena vacation rental, one of the first things you would want to do is explore the marvelous shops all around. Or, simply admire the fascinating window displays, something that locals enjoy doing too. You will come across a large number of delightful boutiques as well as larger stores close to your Siena rentals, so make sure you have room for lots of shopping bags in your luggage!
Clothes to Crafts
From ultra hip designer-wear to lovely local crafts, antiques, ceramic ware, gourmet foods, wine and more, you will find plenty of interesting things to buy in Siena. Most of the high-fashion outlets of designer labels like Armani, Gucci and others are located on Via di Città. You will also find shops here that sell antiques and ceramic ware, like Antichità Monna Agnese and Ceramiche di Santa Caterina.
For a taste of the medieval art of Siena, go to Siena Ricama on Via di Città, and pick up stunning handmade artifacts. Via Banchi di Sopra is the place to visit for everything from trendy designer wear to Greek pottery. The street markets of Siena are perfect for picking up amazing stuff at great prices. The Lizza Market on Wednesdays sells everything from clothes to farm-fresh vegetables, and the monthly Buonconvento Antiques Market is a great place to shop for antiques.
There are a number of stores that offer wide varieties of pasta, cheeses, meats, wines and all types of regional foods. The elegant Antica Drogheria Manganelli is one such shop, but if you want to do it like the locals, hit stores like La Terra di Siena on Via G. Duprè 32, or Consorzio Agrario Siena on Via Piangiani 9.
Sweet Endings
What can be better than ending a delightful shopping spree with some of Siena's famous pastries and cookies? Locals love Pasticceria Bini on Via dei Fusari, a pastry shop that has been in business since 1943. If you are in Via Banchi di Sopra, do visit Siena's oldest pastry shop Pasticceria Nannini. Or try the Forno Le Campane on Via di Citta. Shop for almond-paste cookies called ricciarelli, sweet and spicy biscuits called cavallucci, or panforte, an exotic dessert that is made of almonds, honey, hazelnuts and spices.
Shopping Tips
If you want to make the most of cool bargain prices, plan your trip either in February or June, as most Siena shops offer 20 to 50 percent discount during these two months. The sales people are known for their professional attitude and you can expect personalized attention while you shop. Though every street corner is dotted with shops, do not miss the action on these streets: Banchi di Sopra,Via di Citta and Via Dei Montanini.
Shops in Siena do business from 9:30 a.m. till 1:00 p.m., after which is it time for the traditional Italian siesta. They open again from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Your vacation rentals will make sure that you are never far away from the best shopping in Siena. Check out the best deals at Vamoose.com and get ready for some fun under the Tuscan sun.