What would you do in and around Siena, Italy?
Jan 7th, 2012, 06:21 AM
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What would you do in and around Siena, Italy?
We have a trip that ends in Siena, Italy. We thought we'd stay 3 nights there. Any thoughts on what to do or see in Siena - and around Siena? We won't have a car. We could rent one if needed. Thank you!
Jan 7th, 2012, 07:53 AM
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Sienna itself will occupy you at least a day depending on your interest. Sienna connects well by bus to San Gimignano and Florence. The connection to the Montepulciano and Montalcino is very poor. You will find that the bus trip favors coming into Sienna in the morning and returning south in the evening. Doing the other way require very early start to have enough time at the destination.
By the way, Sienna is a city and Siena is a Toyota minivan.
By the way, Sienna is a city and Siena is a Toyota minivan.
Jan 7th, 2012, 08:02 AM
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Pretty sure Greg is wrong about that:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siena
The ancient spelling is rarely used.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siena
The ancient spelling is rarely used.
Jan 7th, 2012, 08:39 AM
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Siena (or Sienna? ..... potato / patatoe) ...
However it's spelled it IS a charming hilltown, with emphasis on HILLY, so be sure to have good walking shoes.
As already suggested, you could easily do a daytrip from Siena to Florence via the SITA bus, or by the train. However the bus really is better option for convenience. Train station for Siena is a couple miles outside the city walls.
Additionally San Gimigano is another town well worth day-tripping via bus.
Others may confirm if these bus schedules are still valid, as updates were several years ago .... http://www.florenceitaly.net/bus.html
However it's spelled it IS a charming hilltown, with emphasis on HILLY, so be sure to have good walking shoes.
As already suggested, you could easily do a daytrip from Siena to Florence via the SITA bus, or by the train. However the bus really is better option for convenience. Train station for Siena is a couple miles outside the city walls.
Additionally San Gimigano is another town well worth day-tripping via bus.
Others may confirm if these bus schedules are still valid, as updates were several years ago .... http://www.florenceitaly.net/bus.html
Jan 7th, 2012, 10:55 AM
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Kiki,
See the campo where the palio is run.
Palazzo Pubblico, town hall, has Sienese art including Ambrogio Lorenzetti's Good and bad Government.
Climb the Torre di Mangia for a breath taking view of the city.
The duomo is has a great exterior and is filled with works by Donatello, Bernini, Michelangelo, and Pisano as well as containing the Libreria Piccolomini. Even the floor is covered in art.
The bapistry and crypt are beneath the Duomo.
Spedale di Santa Marie delle scalla is a 1000 year old hospital that has huge works of art.
The archaeological museum under the hospital.
Museo dell'Opera del Duomo.
The above is only part of what you can see in two of the piazza. There is much more.
Siena is a medieval town that can be enjoyed by strolling in almost any part. After the daytrippers have left it can be much more enjoyable
http://www.sitabus.it/sita-toscana/F...0-%20Siena.pdf
See the campo where the palio is run.
Palazzo Pubblico, town hall, has Sienese art including Ambrogio Lorenzetti's Good and bad Government.
Climb the Torre di Mangia for a breath taking view of the city.
The duomo is has a great exterior and is filled with works by Donatello, Bernini, Michelangelo, and Pisano as well as containing the Libreria Piccolomini. Even the floor is covered in art.
The bapistry and crypt are beneath the Duomo.
Spedale di Santa Marie delle scalla is a 1000 year old hospital that has huge works of art.
The archaeological museum under the hospital.
Museo dell'Opera del Duomo.
The above is only part of what you can see in two of the piazza. There is much more.
Siena is a medieval town that can be enjoyed by strolling in almost any part. After the daytrippers have left it can be much more enjoyable
http://www.sitabus.it/sita-toscana/F...0-%20Siena.pdf
Jan 7th, 2012, 05:42 PM
#14
Il Campo Main Square
City Hall Dominates square
Torre del Mangia 300 steps! Tallest secular tower
Chapel at base of Tower thanks for ending Black Death
Fountain of Joy
Civic Museum "see frescos of ""Effects of Good and Bad Gvt"" by Lorenzetti
Good panoramic view from Salla della Pace" 7.50 euro or 11 euro w/ Santa Maria della Scalla
Santa Maria della Scala
Duomo Correr marble pulpit on backs of lions, Michelangelo statues, Bernini sculptures, inlaid marble floors, stain glass windows (copy of Duccio's Rose Window) "Included in My Name ticket
Open Sun 1:30 - 5:30, Mon 10::30 - 6:30pm"
Piccolomini Library frescos telling story of Pope Pius II
Heads of 172 popes - look up! Same 4 faces!
Slaughter of the Innocents On floorof far NW side (10 o'clock position)
Berini's Chapel midway right side
Piccolomini Altar Michelangelo's statue by door leading to shop
Duomo Museum (Museo dell 'Opera e Panorama "Original of Duccio Rose Window, Donatello's Madonna and Child, Pisano's scultpures - ground floor
Upstairs on left - Duccio's Maesta
" Climb onto the Panorama del Facciatome for great view of Siena (at landing just before top floor, turn right and walk past wthe rooms, go thru small door to stairwell. Climb down steps and up spiral stairs to view point) 10am - 5pm
Baptistry Bronze panels, Angels by Ghiberti, Donatello adorning pedistal of baptismal font; Crypt "10am - 5pm
Included in My Name ticket"
Santa Maria della Scala see St. Catherine's Oratory, the small chapel where she prayed & rec'd visions. Nail said to be from Jesus' cross is on altar Chapel is free but must pay for rest of museum
Church of San Domenico see thumb of St. Catherine and chain she used to scourge herself with, her head is atopo altar in chapel (15 ft to left) free
Sanctuary of St. Catherine her home. She helped convince Pope to return to Rome from France. See wooden crucifix when rec'd stigmata (in church on right), down stairs on left of ktichen is her roon
City Hall Dominates square
Torre del Mangia 300 steps! Tallest secular tower
Chapel at base of Tower thanks for ending Black Death
Fountain of Joy
Civic Museum "see frescos of ""Effects of Good and Bad Gvt"" by Lorenzetti
Good panoramic view from Salla della Pace" 7.50 euro or 11 euro w/ Santa Maria della Scalla
Santa Maria della Scala
Duomo Correr marble pulpit on backs of lions, Michelangelo statues, Bernini sculptures, inlaid marble floors, stain glass windows (copy of Duccio's Rose Window) "Included in My Name ticket
Open Sun 1:30 - 5:30, Mon 10::30 - 6:30pm"
Piccolomini Library frescos telling story of Pope Pius II
Heads of 172 popes - look up! Same 4 faces!
Slaughter of the Innocents On floorof far NW side (10 o'clock position)
Berini's Chapel midway right side
Piccolomini Altar Michelangelo's statue by door leading to shop
Duomo Museum (Museo dell 'Opera e Panorama "Original of Duccio Rose Window, Donatello's Madonna and Child, Pisano's scultpures - ground floor
Upstairs on left - Duccio's Maesta
" Climb onto the Panorama del Facciatome for great view of Siena (at landing just before top floor, turn right and walk past wthe rooms, go thru small door to stairwell. Climb down steps and up spiral stairs to view point) 10am - 5pm
Baptistry Bronze panels, Angels by Ghiberti, Donatello adorning pedistal of baptismal font; Crypt "10am - 5pm
Included in My Name ticket"
Santa Maria della Scala see St. Catherine's Oratory, the small chapel where she prayed & rec'd visions. Nail said to be from Jesus' cross is on altar Chapel is free but must pay for rest of museum
Church of San Domenico see thumb of St. Catherine and chain she used to scourge herself with, her head is atopo altar in chapel (15 ft to left) free
Sanctuary of St. Catherine her home. She helped convince Pope to return to Rome from France. See wooden crucifix when rec'd stigmata (in church on right), down stairs on left of ktichen is her roon
Jan 7th, 2012, 08:14 PM
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We were in Siena in May for only 3 days but would have enjoyed more time there. We thoroughly enjoyed spending time in Santa Maria delle Scala (Be sure to get down to the lowest floors underground), the Duomo and Palazzo Publicco. Discovering various bars and restaurants, talking with locals, walking the quiet streets at night, and enjoying the local bakery called Bini ---a lot of fun. One day was spent with a private guide, Luca Garrapa, who developed an itinerary for us and drove us to various small villages and sites in Tuscany.
Jan 7th, 2012, 09:02 PM
#16
Car:
http://www.toyota.com/sienna/
Cities website:
http://www.comune.siena.it/main.asp?id=0
>>>The connection to the Montepulciano and Montalcino is very poor. <<<
True for Montepulciano, but not for Montalcino. There are multiple buses (#114) from Siena to Montalcino so you can easily day trip. With any bus trip, buy a round trip ticket and make sure you know when the last bus departs so you don't miss your return.
Bus connection map:
http://www.sienamobilita.it/mappe/Mappa_EXT.pdf
http://www.toyota.com/sienna/
Cities website:
http://www.comune.siena.it/main.asp?id=0
>>>The connection to the Montepulciano and Montalcino is very poor. <<<
True for Montepulciano, but not for Montalcino. There are multiple buses (#114) from Siena to Montalcino so you can easily day trip. With any bus trip, buy a round trip ticket and make sure you know when the last bus departs so you don't miss your return.
Bus connection map:
http://www.sienamobilita.it/mappe/Mappa_EXT.pdf
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