Days away from Italy
 

First I want to say thanks to all who have been so helpful in offering insight and advice about our pending trip to Italy. This is a great forum.

We have made a couple of adjustments to our trip and are doing Florence-Gaiole in Chianti-Rome. I am looking for final suggestions/recommendations for travel b/t the locations. We are not driving. We will take either the bus or the train.
The hotel and the B&B have offered to make arrangements for us, whichever way we choose to travel.
Bus to Siena is 75 min & 6.5 euro on the corse rapide(this really appears to be a no-brainer decision), then onto the B&B by cab(30 euro; is this high?).

Travel from B&B by cab to either the train station or bus station.
Train 3-4 hours 13-26 euro
Bus 3 hrs and 18.50 euro

For this last transfer which will have better climate control and comfort since both are 3 hours and about the same cost. Obviously the train offers 1st class, but what will that really be like? Once we get to Rome, we will cab it to Lancelot.

Finally, what is the impression in the forum of Context Travel?

I can only speak to the last question about Context Travel. It gets very, very, very positive feedback here on the Fodor's boards. I have sent clients on their tours in Rome and they all reported that they were outstanding. Highly recommended company.

Have a great trip!
Amanda :)

Thanks Amanda. We are using them for Florence and Rome. I've been on educational trips abroad and still remember much what was covered on those trips. I have also been on trips where there wasn't an "educational guide" and remember far less. I am not sure one is tied tot he other, however when in Rome, ....

I have noticed that in order to train out of Siena, I would hav to leave after 4 pm and arrive in Rome after 7pm, with one transfer, from a Regional train to a Intercity train for 25,60 €(first class) or 20,60 €(second class/coach).**From Trenitalia.com

Bus info would be greatly appreciated

The best I can tell the bus leave from Siena @ 5, 6, 7:30, 9, 10:30, 12 & 2pm... and is 3 hrs. Cost is 16€ for 2 ppl.

After 12, 2 and 4 on the train. 25,60€; 20,60€ ea/per

The bus is Sena bus. The price on the home page of the website is if you buy the Sena Card.
http://www.sena.it/index_e.htm?CID=A...OTLLFX04642886

I would be very surprised that a cab from Siena to Gaiole in Chianti would only cost 30E.

Regional and Intercity trains aren't likely to have AC. On many R trains there is only one class, but some do offer 1st. R trains don't have seat reservations. I'm not sure if your IC does.

I've looked at Trenitalia and there is no 1st cl on the R train, only 2nd cl. If you search the connections (Siena/Chiusi - 5.60E) you will see you have no choice.

Another vote for Context Travel. Of the 3 guided tours that we've ever taken, in numerous trips to Europe, 2 were with Context - one in Venice, and one in Rome. Very knowledgeable, and the small groups were great. I'm a bit history buff, and had lots of detailed questions, and our guides almost always had the answers, and had up-to-date information. My husband, who doesn't read up on history, also enjoyed the tours very much, so you don't have to be a history geek!