Good evening

A major new exhibition will open at the National Gallery in London next month, celebrating some of the exquisite artworks that helped to shape Renaissance Italy. ‘Siena, the Rise of Painting 1300-1350’ will shine a spotlight on the, sometimes overlooked, contribution that this beautiful Tuscan city made to Italy’s “golden age” of creativity.

As our writer Colin O’Brien points out, “In any other corner of the world, Siena would be the only show in town. Around here though, there are several noisy neighbours. And none makes more of a racket than Florence.” Just 50 miles to the north of Siena, Florence is known as the birthplace of the Renaissance, home of Michelangelo, Donatello and Botticelli. But this fame comes at a price. Increasing visitor numbers have placed huge pressure on the city’s infrastructure, leading to tension between tourists and locals. While Siena is not exactly off the beaten path, art lovers will find here a more relaxed immersion in the wonders of Italian art and architecture. And not just within the confines of its art galleries, cathedrals and museums. According to O’Brien, the whole city is, in effect, “an open-air museum, a maze of hidden frescoes, exquisitely carved fountains and crumbling arches, shaded alleys and sunny piazzas.”

If this whets your appetite for a trip to Italy (or failing that, the National Gallery), we’ve come up with plenty more reasons to visit – 10 in fact – in our roundup of what’s new and exciting in Italy this year, from festivals to new adventure holidays. As the Italians say, “Divertiti!”