We are taking the advice of this board and doing a day trip to Siena in the Am, then San G. in the afternoon/evening. We would love to have dinner in San G., but we will be using public transportation and I can't seem to figure out how to get back to Florence that late.<BR><BR>We will not have a car b/c we are renting one a couple of days later to explore the rest of Tuscany.<BR><BR>Is a car service or taxi an option? I would assume it would be VERY expensive, but does anyone know about this for sure?<BR><BR>How late could we catch a bus?

The buses from San Gimignano do not run late. 20.00 and 20.35 are the last departures (Mon-Fri), I think. 20 minutes down to Poggibonsi, change bus, dep 20.25 and 21.15. Arrive Florence 40-50 minutes later. <BR><BR>http://db.sienanet.it/web/train/orar...0&tratta=2&t=R. For the Poggibonsi to Florence section, select route 131 in the upper right corner.

Thanks for the bus info. It look like we will probably just have a big meal in Siena in the afternoon, then take the bus to San G. to watch the sunset and stroll around for a few hours until the last bus.<BR><BR>Unless anyone knows about taking a taxi this far...

Julie,<BR>Why spend a whole day away from Florence?<BR>I would just get your rental car one day earlier and do your Tuscany exploring.

We are staying 5 nights in Florence and 2 nights in Tuscany countryside. From our short number of days in Tuscany I will be exploring Montalcino, Pienza, Cortona, Orivieto, etc.. It seems like the most logical thing to do is a day trip from Florence for Siena/San G. <BR><BR>And if we were to do San G. on our way out of Florence, I am apprehensive about driving from San G. to our hotel near Montepulciano after dark. This will be our first time driving in Italy and I would like it to be light out to decipher the road signs!

I would opt for four nites in Florence(more than enough) and at least 3 in Tuscany. Why not stay in SanG if your heart is set on dinner there?<BR>Doing the towns you mention including the etc. are a big stretch, to say the least.

Agree on leaving Florence a day early and staying in San G for a night. Easy drive and you can park just outside the city walls. Two great places there are La Cisterna (get a room with a balcony view over the countryside) and Antico Pozzo. <BR><BR>Agree with previous poster on not seeing too much (the joy of the towns is wandering through them and having a leisurely lunch, not trying to see every sight). <BR><BR>A great restaurant in Siena is Osteria Le Logge (order the malfatti) and Il Pozzo in Monterregioni is a great one in an old castle/village (make a reservation outside). These were two of my favorite meals in Italy.

Jack:<BR><BR>The number of nights in each city is not really changeable due to complicated reasons....<BR><BR>Do you think it's really too much to leave Florence and explore Cortona on the way to our hotel in Montalcino, then explore Montalcino/Pienza the next day, then go to Orvieto the next day on the way down to Rome?

Julie, shame your dates are not flexible.<BR>Leaving Florence and exploring Cortona on the way to your hotel in Montalcino, and exploring Montalcino/Pienza the next day and hitting Orvieto on the way down to Rome is doable since the whole trip is a total of approx. 260 miles. I was more concerned about the etc. part.

Thanks for the response. I guess the "etc" just means that if we drive my somewhere and want to stop, we will!

Julie, I just got back about a month ago from my first trip to Tuscany. Having stayed in Siena as my "home base", I can tell you it is nearly impossible to do it as an "am" trip, and then to couple it with a "pm" visit to San G. Well, you can but you'll be one cranky tourist. I must tell you though, avoid San G. during the daytime, it's mobbed, literally mobbed with heards (bus-loads, rather) of tourists, it's awful. Rather, do wait for the evening hours when the rush is gone to enjoy that very beautiful city. As far as Siena, the evenings are best too for the same reason. Siena is a lot larger than San G., but if you only do one thing in Siena, go visit the Duomo. The most beautiful building, religious or not, that I have ever set foot into. Definitely worth the trip to Siena for the Duomo alone. By far more beautiful (although much smaller) than the Florence Duomo.

One last thing-- If you have to take a piss in Siena proper- you must go to the tourist office-COST-.80 EUROS THAT'S 80 CENTS.- YOU BUY A COIN THAT ALLOWS YOU TO PISS. No wonder most Europeans stink!!

You should check out Fattoria Basseto a beautiful little agri tourism complex with a hostel and private rooms www.bassettobackpack.com