MEET STEVE McCURRY IN SIENA

Steve McCurry at the press conference of his exhibition in Siena

For a change in front of the lens: Steve McCurry in Siena

Meet the man who made a photo go around the world. Tomorrow, Saturday 15th of June, Siena's Santa Maria della Scala museum opens the doors for Steve McCurry's Viaggio Intorno al Mondo.

Maybe National Geographic's best known photographer, Steve McCurry is in town for the opening of the show. His masterclass at Siena University was attended by 700 students from all over Italy.

You'll be able to meet McCurry at the museum for questions and book signing from 11 am to noon and from 4 pm to 5 pm.

The exhibition in the stunning setting of the medieval SMS museum complex concentrates on Steve McCurry's portrait work. Also part of the exhibition are the photo of the green-eyed Afghan girl and a short film by National Geographic, which documents McCurry's quest to find his famous model nearly two decades later. Which indeed he did.

The green eyed Afghan girl met again as a woman

Old friends: Steve Mc Curry's voyage to find the Afghan girl

Steve McCurry exhibition at Siena's SMS museum

A fabulous museum setting: The medieval tufa rock rooms of the SMS museum in Siena

Portrait of a minery worker by Steve McCurry

Portraits from Afghanistan by Steve McCurry at Siena's SMS museum

VIAGGIO INTORNO ALL'UOMO (TRIP AROUND MANKIND)

SIENA'S SANTA MARIA DELLA SCALA MUSEUM, piazza del Duomo, 1

15th of June to 3rd of November 2013

Opening times: every day from 10.30 am to 7pm,

Tickets: 10 Euro (incluscive audioguide), kids up to 11 years for free

The show has been prolonged till the 6th of January. Check detailed opening times on the SMS website.

WHAT IS THE PALIO? SIENA'S HORSE RACE IN A NUTSHELL

The twelve must-knows for people wanting to impress fellow travelers with their thorough knowledge of the Palio di Siena, the world’s oldest continually hold sporting event. 1. WHAT IS THE PALIO? Italy's most famous horse race takes place twice a year o n piazza del Campo, Siena’s shell shaped medieval square. 2. WHEN IS THE PALIO? Each year on the 2nd of July and the 16th of August . The July race called Palio della Madonna di Provenzano starts at 7.30 pm, the Palio dell'Assunta in August at 7 pm. However, both races are proceeded by a pageantry procession, so prepare to access piazza del Campo three to four hours before the start of the race. The festival lasts for a total of four days each time, which are made up of trial races and neighborhood dinners. Piazza del Campo and Palazzo Pubblico during Palio 3. WHO CAN PARTICIPATE? Siena has 17 neighborhoods ( contrade in Ialian), but only ten of them can ...

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SECRET SIGHTS IN SIENA: HIDDEN FRESCOES AT PALAZZO PUBBLICO AND CO.

Fresco by Sano di Pietro in one of Palazzo Pubblico's six secret rooms STANZE SEGRETE / SECRET ROOMS at PALAZZO PUBBLICO, piazza del Campo Upcoming dates: March 22/23, 2014; May 21/22, 2014 If you've been to Siena countless times, you may think you know it all. But you don't. Because you couldn't. Not even I - the famous writer of an arty-farty blog about Siena - have seen all of the Renaissance frescoes at Siena's civic museum yet. For a reason. Palazzo Pubblico in piazza del Campo may be one of Siena's main sights (think famous frescoes by Ambrogio Lorenzetti and Simone Martini), but many of its beautifully adorned rooms are normally off-limits to the general public. Unless you happen to be in town for one of the guided visits which take place only a couple of times a year and grant you access to the hidden rooms with frescoes by Sienese masters like Sano di Pietro, Lippo Memmi and Il Sodoma. Guided visits at: 1 0:30 - 11:30 - 12:30 - ...

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VINTAGE MARKET AND 1930s PARTY IN SIENA: Saturday April 5, 2014

Considering how much Italy's image is linked to its 20th century icons (from Sophia Loren, Fellini and Marcello Mastroianni to Vespa and Fiat 500), it always surprises me how difficult it is to find a decent vintage store. Gucci and Fendi outlets may be thriving in Tuscany, but y ou're better off in London or Zurich, if you're after a dress Gina Lollobrigida or Eleonora Duse could have worn. Whether baby clothes or evening gowns, the majority of Italians prefer new to second hand, and whilst antique furniture markets are a monthly staple of many a Tuscan town, garage sales and vintage stores have never really gotten off the ground in this country. In Siena Aloe & Wolf is an exemption to the rule. The vintage shop in via Porrione has become a well loved staple in town and has every reason to celebrate its successful 10th year in business (yes, Kate Moss stopped and shopped here too). SWINGING ON PORRIONE: SATURDAY 5th of APRI...

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