Hello! We will be arriving in Florence on a Tuesday, and have a rental in Montepulciano beginning on a Saturday (this is in June). Our original plan was to daytrip to Siena one of the Florence days.
I'm just curious to know your opinions about Siena. Is it worth considering to spend a night there? We could spend Tuesday-Friday in Florence, and then head down to Siena on Friday (and from there bus to Montepulciano on Saturday). Or will a daytrip in Siena be sufficient?
Neither a day trip or an overnightiin Siena will be "sufficient". Certainly an overnight in Siena will allow you a different perspective on the place than will a day trip. However, that overnight will take away from your experience of Firenze. Making more stops will not add to what you can experience on your trip. It actually will take away the time it takes to pack, unpack, find your hotel, check in, check out etc.
That's a very good point, dean. Of course, I don't really think that any amount of time in Italy is sufficient- I always want a little more Europe!
I am mostly just curious to know the opinion of you experienced travelers, if you would choose a night in Siena (over a daytrip), or would prefer an additional night in Florence. Since I haven't been to either, I don't have much to go on but other people's experiences(vicariously!)
You might want to spend the four days in Florence. There is so much to see.
When you leave on Saturday morning, why not stop in Greve in Chianti for an introduction to the local market life. You can then wind your way through Panzano and start heading down to Montepulciano. Most likely, your rental house will be available for check-in after 4:00 PM.
Siena is worth several trips and can be visited from Montepulciano. What are your interests? Small hilltowns, wine country, a relaxing stay in the Chianti? Siena is not a small town but don't miss it.
You don't say how long you'll be in Montepulciano. Siena has lots to offer, and you will enjoy however long you spend there, but I'd be reluctant to cut time from Florence. Generally, I opt to minimize checking into and out of hotels/rentals.
Posts: 665 | Location: Southern California | Registered: 30 July 2004
Why not stop in Siena on your way to Montepulciano on Saturday? That way you won't be shortchanging Florence or consuming additional time and effort moving in and out of hotels. Since it sounds like you don't want to miss Siena, a quick detour in your itinerary sounds like the thing to do - covering a few notable landmarks in a few hours, although not recommended in general, deserves intermittent consideration.
Posts: 262 | Location: Santa Barbara, CA | Registered: 19 November 2002
I agree with jafbrad-although you can't possibily do the beautiful city of Siena justice in a short visit, you will certaintly get a a sense of it by taking in the Campo and the Duomo at least. If it pulls on your heartstrings as it does mine that you can return for another daytrip from your week in your villa.
Topic Closed
