Need opinions on this and transportation suggestions. Thanks!

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Seems odd to refer "virginia" to search for this.

I would advise that it's too far to day trip. Between 2.5 and three hours each way; bus is the better option if you feel compelled to do it. Train has to connect in Florence; even if you take the train to Florence (only 95 minutes), bus is still the preferred mode from Florence - - takes you up the hill inTO Siena whereas the train leaves you down at the bottom with an arduous climb (or taxi ride).

But I am still saying not such a great idea, in the first place.

What is the rest of your Italy (or Europe) itinerary?

Searching (this forum) is worthwhile for various kinds of Siena info, but this is not a common question that gets asked all the time here (at least not traveling from Rome; day tripping from Florence is a bit of a different question).

Best wishes,

Rex

There's a lot to see in Siena, and I'd advise spending the night, but it is possible to do a day trip from Rome. If you're driving, allow 3.5 hours and start early. I expect there are train options as well, but I've driven Rome to Siena a few times so I know the drive time. If you're starting from the airport, the coastal route is probably easiest, going up the coast to Grosetto and then inland to Siena. The inland route is Autostrada del Sole (A1) toward Florence, passes by Orvieto, which is hard to pass up, and gives you a view of Montepulciano in the distance.

Rex,
I was considering doing a train from Rome to Siena but there is no direct route. They make you stop in Chiusi to change trains to go onto Siena. I am very interested in travelling directly to Siena using the bus. Can you please recommend a bus line that would take us there? Thanks a million--

Although I thought that the post from mkdiebold was a bit cheeky, this follow-up question about bus service <u>is</u> one case, for which a quick search here on this forum yields the answer (and yet, how is anyone supposed to know which questions have &quot;easy&quot; answers, uncovered by a &quot;quick search&quot;? I only know this because I have hung around here for ages)...

Seaching on &quot;Siena bus Rome&quot; took me (more or less) directly to

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34738333

&quot;Rome to Siena by bus-need help!&quot;

...with a link (these are now hot links you can click directly!) - - it's obsolete, but still directs you to http://www.sena.it

...and they have an English version...

http://www.sena.it/index_e.htm

Click on &quot;Timetable and fares&quot;.

ttt

I appreciate the responses. I asked the question because a quick search was yielding info on Florence to Siena and Rex's advice was what I was seeking. I appreciate Midnightsun's thoughts. We are booked, and have paid, for a lovely B&amp;B in Rome (Daphne), so will not be taking any overnight trips. I think we will savor our time, in a relaxed fashion, in Rome and maybe take Ira's original Oriveto suggestion if we want a shorter day away or maybe Tivoli. We will just have to return to Italy (which I am sure we will). Thanks, again, Fodorites

virginia, be willing to consider an overnight - even though you are planning (and paying for) an extended stay in Rome. I can't tell you how many times I've decided to stay overnight and leave my paid for hotel room empty for a night when I stumble on a great place during a day trip that I'm not ready to leave yet. I've learned to tuck my toothbrush and clean undies in the backpack &quot;just in case&quot;.

Flexibility on vacation is fabulous!

No !
Nuf said !

Do Orvieto instead.

Attaching to this two year old thread, since it's the first one I found where I answered a question for you (&quot;virginafish&quot...

...so, in response to your private e-mail to me, what is the next trip you are planning, and what kinds of new questions do you have (not just for me, of course, for anybody!)

Hey, Rex: good to hear your voice...I thought there must be method to your madness! Happy to help out Virginiafish in what must now be her second (third?) trip to Italy.

We have spent two holidays in Umbria in the past few years...both times renting a 'villa' or actually an apt. in a converted villa.

The first time was in a place near Perugia (the distaff side of Castello Dell'Oscano)and we visited Norcia, Gubbio, Cenerente, Narni and had a marvelous time.

The second time, we stayed in a place near Assisi (a Parker Company place: Duo de Spada was their name for it but I don't believe it is on their books anymore). From there we visited Gubbio (a favourite!), Assisi(!!!), Bevagna and had a marvelous time.

But having said all that, you can't go wrong with Tuscany either--we have done trips with both Florence itself as a base (which I wouldn't actually recommend, its just too hard to get in and out of the city to use it as a base). But we have also stayed in a villa just outside San G. and that worked really well.

I should say that all this was achieved with a car as my DH is very much inclined to make that a part of his holidays.

But I do not drive and lived in Italy very successfully for a couple of years within the last decade using only trains and buses.

I did not suffer!

Sorry, entirely missed th part about timing.

In Tuscany in March 4 years ago, it snowed and pretty much wrecked our foolish vision of sitting by the pool in sandals: we (group of 12 women) charged ahead and spent St. Patrick's Day in an &quot;Irish&quot; pub in Florence. In April (same year) it got so hot that the flowers all came bursting out and made it glorious.

Moral? you won't be able to count on the weather this time of year. The further north you go the worse it might be. But it could be glorious. Just always have a back-up plan for a special church/museum/restaurant combo you want to visit if you get a sleety day.And bring shoes you can wear in the mud for that impromptu visit to the winery across the fields.

Rome is too far in my opinion for a day trip...there is so much to see around Siena (many little towns) that I would make it another part of the trip where you can station yourself in Siena and work from there.

yes, we just went back to Italy for the 3rd time and had a glorious 2+ weeks in Venice, Cinque Terre, Tuscany, Florence. Glad to give any help!