Sprig

We will be flying into Milan in early Sept. spending two nights in Como, train to Venice for three nights, train to Florence for 3 nights and then picking up a car. We are planning 4 days in Siena as home base for touring Tuscany and Umbria. We are considering stayng at Palazzo Ravizza but are wondering how easy it is to get in and out of Siena every day. Friends of our stayed in a Best Western outside the gates and said it was very convenient as there was a shuttle in and out of the city. We want to tour during the day and spend time in Siena in the evening, without driving of course, to enjoy a bottle of wine with our dinner. We will then leave Siena and hope to drop the car on the outskirts of Rome. Three days in Rome, 2 days Sorrento and Capri and back to Rome for one day and then fly out. Our first trip to Italy and our first time traveling on trains in Europe. We will probably prebook 1st class with reserved seating. I hate fighting for seats together on trains. Any advice about the car in Siena or train travel would be very welcome.

Intrepid1

I honestly think you have time AFTER you arrive to get all the train tickets/any seat reservations you would need.

I do not think you need to make seat reservations for the trip from Milan to Como nor back again to Milan; for the train from Milan to Venice IF you take a Eurostar then the seat reservation is part of the ticket; ditto the Venice-Florence portion.

You can buy all your tickets at once, in Milan if you wish, or at a local travel agency. This will save you money in terms of any mark-up, shipping and handling fees, and the very LARGE mark-up that many agencies such as RailEurope charge for seat reservations.

I seriously doubt you'll find yourself "fighting for seats" if you plan accordingly.

I am certain others will have additional advice.

Eloise

A friend and I stayed at the Palazzo Ravizza and had no problem getting in and out of the city. The hotel is within the walls; it has a parking lot outside the walls.

Tweeter

We also stayed as Palazzo Ravizza with a car and had no problems getting in and out. The parking lot was secure too. We really liked the hotel.

maitaitom

Another yes on the Palazzo Ravizza. No trouble at all getting in and out of Siena. We loved the hotel.

Sprig

I have been email the Palazzo Ravazza but have had no reply yet. Hope we can still get a room there. I am sort of counting on it now.

Eloise

There was a recent thread about problems contacting the Palazzo Ravizza:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...2&tid=34585645

Maybe their computer is down again...

Intrepid1

I think it may be time for you to pick up the phone and CALL them if they haven't responded to your e-mail by this time.

Sprig

intrepid1 ... you seem a little tense.