familythattravels

We are a family of 4 (2 kids - tween/teen) traveling to Italy in June/July. We start in Venice and end in Rome with stops in Florence, Lucca & Cinque Terre. We have two nights left to plan and we are torn between Siena and Orvieto.

Siena seems like the busier of the two and we are concerned that crowds will be overwhelming in Late June.

Is there enough to do for 2 nights in Orvieto? We can get a car.

Thanks in advance.

bilboburgler

I think there is more to do in Siena, but I'd go on each town's website to check for festival dates that bang into your dates.

tonfromleiden

Orvieto is a beauty, but very small. Spend those days in Siena, and make room for a two-hour visit of Orvieto on your way back to Rome.

Dayle

There is plenty do do in Orvieto for a 2 night visit. I assume this means you will have 1.5 days. Its a beautiful town and has much to offer: Etrucan museum, underground tour of the caves beneath the city,, St. Patricks Well, Etruscan tombs archeological site, the gorgeous duomo, lots of interesting tiny streets filled with artists galleries and other shops, excellent restaurants, and one of the best passegiatas I've participated in.

If you are willing to get a car for a day, visit Civita de Bagnoreggio. Google pictures. Its a delightful and unique half day trip with wonderful photo ops.

Depends on how interested your kids would be in all the above, but I would think much of it would be interesting to them.

WWK

I was extremely underwhelmed by Siena. When we visited with out kids several years ago in July, it was packed and broiling hot.

However, it's close to Florence, so with two days in the area it could be a decent side trip.

StCirq

20 years ago I would have said Siena. Today, Orvieto by a long shot.

Sassafrass

I always listen to StCirq. Never steered me wrong yet.
Curious, StCirq, about your reasons. Is Siena unbearably crowded or Orvieto more interesting and pleasant?
My first time in Siena, mid 70s, empty streets. Lovely even in July.
20 years ago, crowded, but still enjoyable, though super hot in April.

Loacker

Sassafrass she might be steering you wrong this time. Siena is amazing. You shouldn't anyone's word as the bible.

kybourbon

I've stayed in both several times. With only two nights (which is really just one sightseeing day), pick the one that interests you the most.

With either one, you don't need a rental car especially since you don't have time for day trips. If Siena, take the Sita bus from Florence to Siena and the Sena bus from Siena to Rome. For Orvieto, use the train.

familythattravels

Thanks everyone for your suggestions and comments. Palio horse race is scheduled on the day we would depart so I suspect Siena would be incredibly crowded.

cafegoddess

"Sassafrass she might be steering you wrong this time. Siena is amazing. You shouldn't anyone's word as the bible"

Loacker, I agree completely. The Doumo in Siena is breathtaking!

Both towns are incredible beautiful, can't go wrong, whichever you choose.

Sassafrass

If Palio is scheduled, I doubt you could even get near the city center, so may have no choice anyway.

I did like Siena - a lot, and also the cathedral, but less the second time around. Probably colored by other things, fellow traveler's, etc. Also, while beautiful, and certainly interesting, it is not a cathedral that stands out so much in my memory as some others. Perhaps if I was with only DH, on our own schedule, it would still be appealing. Would love to go to Palio someday, need lots of planning ahead for that.

Jean

"20 years ago I would have said Siena. Today, Orvieto by a long shot."

We first visited Siena about 25 years ago, and it was a medieval gem. In recent years, though, it has become a good-sized city with all the down sides that come with growth. Too many people, too many cars, too many cheap souvenir stands. I can't imagine the crowds at Palio time.

I hope charming Orvieto won't be the same in 15-20 years. I almost hate to recommend it anymore.

Sassafrass

Jean, imagine what it was like when we first visited in early July, 1976. When I say empty, it looked abandoned, hardly any people about, no tourists and mid-afternoon, restaurants and shops closed, only a few pizza places open for snacks. Not fair for me to complain though as I am part of the crowds.

StCirq

Sassafrass, what Jean said is what I meant. Doesn't mean Siena isn't worth visiting, but that wasn't the OP's question.The Palio was completely nuts 25 years ago. I can't even begin to imagine what it must be like today, though I imagine they must have increased security and general crowd control in the intervening decades.

Jean

Sassafrass, I can go back even further. My family drove around northern Italy in 1963! There were still the occasional piles of stones/rubble from clearing away World War II bomb-damaged buildings. Hardly any cars in cities, very little English spoken anywhere, few tourists and even fewer tourist services, but we did stay at an AGIP Motel on the autostrade just south of Florence. The motel concept was still a novelty for Italy in 1963.

Sassafrass

Wow! Just think, Jean, that was less than 20 years after World War II ended.

Jean

At the time, I thought 18 years was an eternity and the war was ancient history. I was 12....