nfitz53

We will be leaving Florence and heading to Rome by train. However, we would like to spend 2.5 days in either Siena or Orvieto. I have read many of the forum questions and responses. It appears bus travel to Siena is easier as it leaves you off in town. I've also seen there is a very good guide recommended out of Siena. However, train travel to Orvieto and then Rome seems easier. There will be 6 of us ages 58-67. I realize we should decide based on what we are interested in seeing, etc., but being first timers, we're not sure. We thought it might be nice to slow down a little bit, relax, maybe hire a guide to take us into the countryside. Any of your suggestions are appreciated as to places to stay/guides in either place.

kybourbon

Bus travel for Siena is just as easy as training to Orvieto/Rome. The bus from Florence to Siena departs hourly and takes about 70 minutes (you want the rapid bus). Zoom in to read the legend keys.
http://www.sitabus.it/sita-toscana/Firenze-Siena06.pdf

Between Siena and Rome you can take the Sena bus. The nice thing about the bus is your luggage is stored underneath and you don't have to lug it through train stations. In Siena, you catch the bus at Piazza Gramsci.
http://www.sena.it/index_e.htm?CID=A...QVNNHA05462588

Siena has lots of tours to surrounding towns or you can easily catch a bus to some places (Montalcino, San G, etc.)except on Sundays when they don't run as often.

If you train to Orvieto you must take the funicular up from the train station to Orvieto. At the top you catch a bus to where you are staying. The funicular is open from about 7:30am to 8pm so if you need to depart earlier you will need to book a taxi to the station.
http://www.orvietoonline.com/funicolare_orvieto.html

goddesstogo

I'm likely to be the single poster who says Orvieto.

I didn't care for Siena which we did as a day trip. I know it's not Siena's fault but it was a VERY hot day and the town was absolutely packed cheek-by-jowl with tourists. I don't mind tourists and I'm happy to be numbered among them but holy cats! it was packed! You could barely walk!

We had a lovely day in Orvieto. We drove there and didn't take the funicular up because we didn't know about it. I would have loved to do it. I honestly can't remember how we got up there. Did we walk? Is there an elevator? But I'm sure it wasn't the funicular.

We were staying in Montepulciano which was lovely and was the perfect place to slow down a bit in-between Rome and Venice. From there, we enjoyed day trips to Montalcino and Pienza.

adrienne

As goddess says, Siena is packed with tourists but they congregate near the cathedral and campo. Walk a couple of blocks away and things are much quieter. The tourists do leave late in the afternoon.

Siena offers more sightseeing than Orvieto. If you want total down time then choose Orvieto. If you want more sightseeing options then choose Siena. I would find Orvieto too quiet for 2.5 days without a car.

Hiring a guide for a day trip would be a good idea; that would make Orvieto a great choice (and the best choice) between Florence and Rome, both busy cities with tons of sightseeing. You'll get some relaxation in Orvieto before being on the go in Rome and with a guided day trip won't be bored during your time there.

DRJ

I have offered this advice any number of times on this board. The trip from Orvieto to Rome is an easy one hour (usually nonstop) ride. The funicular is across the street from the train station and it deposits you in Orvieto Alto, where everything is. The duomo is marvelous and I Sette Consoli is my favorite restaurant in all of Italy. Lunch under the tent in back is memorable. (I like Siena also.)

kybourbon

>>>I honestly can't remember how we got up there. Did we walk? Is there an elevator?<<<

One of the parking lots is connected by escalators, but it is on the opposite side of Orvieto from the train station.

bobthenavigator

I would stay in Siena and hire a private driver for a day to explore the south Tuscany hill towns. Look at TOURSBYROBERTO

ira

Ditto DRJ,

>The funicular is across the street from the train station and it deposits you in Orvieto Alto,.............<

When you get to the top, a shuttle bus will meet you. The funicular ticket includes the bus.

Enjoy your visit. Especially I Sette Consoli

goddesstogo

That must have been it then, kybourbon -- we parked in a lot so it must have been the one near the elevators.

kybourbon

>>>When you get to the top, a shuttle bus will meet you. The funicular ticket includes the bus.<<<

The funicular ticket doesn't include the bus. You can buy funicular only or funicular + bus. It's a different ticket that costs about .25€ more. At least that is the way it was on my last trip. I will be there again in a couple of weeks and can check to see if it's changed.

joannyc

I didn't take any elevators or funicular, I parked in a lot near a school about 4 blocks behind the Duomo.

nfitz53

I love this site..thanks so much for the great info as always

annhig

hi nftz,

I agree with all the above - even the contradictory bits.

yes siena is touristy, but once the coach parties have gone, it's lovely and makes a great touring base; if you are out on day trips, the heathen hords won't bother you.

orvieto is lovely too, [and teh front of the basilica is beyond compare] but unless you have a car, I'm not sure how good a toruing base it would be, and slogging up and down that hill every day might pall.

had i the time, i would stay in siena for a few days in between Florence and Rome, and do Orvieto as a day trip.

annhig

a day trip from Rome, i meant to say.

charnees

If you are willing to hire a guide and car in Orvieto you can go to Lago di Bolsena, which has a number of Etruscan sites nearby. you can also visit Civita di Bagnoreggio, which is a small village perched on a crumbling mesa -- and getting smaller and smaller every year as the hillside crumbles away. but it is a pretty sight, like a Disneyland castle, almost, but for real. The restaurant at the end of the bridge that goes over to the town is very good. Look up Civita di Bagnoregio online to see photos.

There is also a free parking lot at the bottom of the hill below the train station in Orvieto, You take an escalator up to the tracks and then another up to the level where the ticket office is. The funicular is just across the tiny piazza.

Saraho

Another vote for Orvieto!

dcliptak

Orvieto, hands down. Ok, I've not yet been to Siena, but I would go back to Orvieto in a heartbeat. Quiet (once you get away from the Duomo during daytime), friendly, authentic. Gorgeous Duomo, facinating underground tour, and some of the best white wine I have ever tasted. You can rent a car outside the funicular office (Avis, if memory serves) and drive yourselves to Bolsena for the day, or take an easy bus ride to Civita di Bagnoreggio. Great food, beautiful scenery, and with the 2 side trips, more than enough to keep you busy for 2.5 days.

tuscanlifeedit

I would pick Siena. More art, more churches, a greater Duomo (inside counts, too). Cooler shopping, too.

Easy bus service to San Gimignano and other places.

I like the food better in Orvieto, but I find that there is more to see in Siena.