I did my little Siena/hilltown weekend. I ended up seeing the two Mont's. Thanks for the extra info Pauline, I think I'll be going down again to see some of the other sites (Pienza, San Galgano, Sant'Antimo). Only if I can rent a car, however, because I learned that...

I really really hate using buses.

I had a ridiculous time trying to get around by the LFI/Tra-IN buses. To get to Montalcino and back to Siena wasn't that bad, although the guy I talked to when I called Tra-IN failed to mention that the 1845 bus back to Siena only runs during the weekend.

My large problems came about when trying to go to Montepulciano. I got to the station departure to get on the 10:50 bus. I sat there and waited for the bus at the sign that says "10:50 Montepulciano".. never came. So I asked another bus driver about it, he replies that I had to take the bus going to Montalcino, get off at Buonconvento, and then connect from there to Montepulciano on a different bus. Needless to say, neither the Tra-In website mentions this, and the signs that mark each departure station did not say anything about this. The sign at the departure station of the Montalcino bus does not mention any connections to Montepulciano at all.

There IS a 10:50 direct to Montepulciano, apparently, but it only runs during the weekday during the winter. Website makes no mention of this either.

Getting back to Siena was also an interesting task. I ended up deciding to take the LFI bus to the Chiusi station, and from there going to Siena by train. My Lonely Planet Italy guide mentions that there are buses from Montepulciano to Chiusi station every 30 minutes. So I went to the bus station at 5 pm to see when the next bus was. 7:25. So much for 2 buses per hour, eh? So I had to wait 2.5 hours ... and well LFI time schedules are as apparently well coordinated as the Tra-In ones. I was told the bus would leave at 7:25, which would get me to Chiusi in time to catch my 8:20 train. It left instead at 7:45, I missed the train, and got back to Siena well later than I had planned. So, in my mind I had planned on getting to my friend's apartment for dinner at 8... instead I got there at 11.

Lastly, the bus to Florence from Siena was also a chore. Instead of taking 1:20, it took over 2 hours, thanks to Florence traffic. Honestly, the train to Siena is a much better option, imo... sure you end up a lil outside Siena's centro, but it's only a 5 min bus ride away, and trains don't get stuck in bumper to bumper traffic =p The bus is also not any cheaper.

So basically I learned these things:

1. Triple check times if you are using a bus.
2. Always always check to see if summer times are posted.
3. Do not rely on one form of information, be that a guide book, internet, or a guy at the bus office.
4. Use the train whenever it is possible, buses frankly are not reliable.

I also learned a few other things:

1. Brunello is some good wine.
2. Pasolini is a dang good writer (had a lot of reading time thanks to the bus fun).
3. Siena might be my favorite place in Italy next to Venice.. and Bologna of course

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Rar
Transplanted into Italy
Fino a July 03

[This message was edited by Pauline on 06 April 2003 at 05:09 PM.]

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Kim,

Wow I didn't know it was this past weekend, we should have had a get together.

Anyway your information is great. I 100% agree about not trusting just one source and yes always check the seasonal things. One thing I noticed is that when using buses on the weekend you are really taking a chance. The weekday routes to me work great but the weekend ones are few, run late and of course run into traffic. I agree about taking the train on weekends if you have to be some place at a specific time but not during weekdays. The Siena Firenze Rapida (not the diretta which takes longer) is a great line and during the week doesn't run into too much traffic. The train takes longer (by 30 minutes) than the rapid bus so you also have that delay.

Anyway, glad you found Siena as enchanting as I do. Next time you should come when the contradas are doing their festivities (ours is in September) or when they each do their "parade" for their patron saint.

I might end up back in Siena again.. I want to see Pienza and Radda .. and Sinalunga looked pretty neat from the window of my train =p

Oh, one thing I forgot to mention.. I had the best panino EVER in Siena. There is an alimentari on Via Pantaneto, past the university and right next to Gelateria Strega. They can pretty much put anything you want on a panino.. I had turkey, pesto, cheese, and sun dried tomatos.. it was godlike. Never had a panino that good, ever, ever ever ever. I obviously highly recommend you wander over there some day Cristina

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Rar
Transplanted into Italy
Fino a July 03

Thanks for the info Rar. Did you ever try hitchhiking - or is that not done in the countryside?

Pauline from Slow Travelers

Cristina,
What is the date of your contrada's festivities in September. I hope sometime during the last two weeks.

Hitchhiking is something I don't think I'd do, unless I was REALLY desperate.

--
Rar
Transplanted into Italy
Fino a July 03

Matches my experience on buses altogether; they're best not used, and if used, not relied on.

[This message was edited by Bill Thayer on 29 March 2003 at 04:51 AM.]

Bill! Where have you been?

Rebecca

www.brigolante.com

Flu in bed for 4 days; watching the war; and making an effort to concentrate more on cleaning up the Augean stables on my site.

Bill, I was just about to post an all points bulletin on you!

Deborah Horn

In a previous life I was an Umbrian sunflower farmer. I'd like to do a past life regression and stay there.
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