The Vista of Siena is on of the most well-known images of ItalyJustin Bunch | CityscapeTravel

Should You Visit Siena?

Yes, Siena is what I would describe as "Peak Europe." It doesn't get better than this. You can think of Siena as a smaller and more subdued version of Florence. Florence overflows with tourists, who crowd vast avenues lined with marble-clad palaces. In contrast, Siena awaits a smaller crowd meandering through alleyways of sun-baked brick.

Facade of Fontainbleau PalaceJustin Bunch | CityscapeTravel

Palaces of Paris and Île-de-France

This map outlines the major palaces of the Île-de-France region that are open to the public. I have sorted them roughly by the primary architectural style they represent. While some palaces, such as Versailles and Fontainebleau, are already UNESCO Heritage sites, most of the palaces on this list are worth visiting in their own right.