I am in the early stages of planning my honeymoon in Italy for Nov, 2004. I was going to do Rome, Florence, Venice, but I did some reading about Siena and I think I might want to skip Florence as I am not a big art fan. Can this be done? Is it reasonable to do this? Thanks.

Snowflake - Rome-Siena can be done by train (with a change change at CHIUSI) or by bus (operator: SENA).

Minimum journey time by train is approx 2.5 hours - though some trains take much longer. For timetables go to:
www.trenitalia.it

For SENA bus timetables from Rome (Tiburtina) go to:
http://www.sena.it/ita/activenews.as...LQHHBU03274173

Hope this helps ...

Steve

Hi snow,

There is more to Florence than just some of the world's most important art.

How long were you planning to stay?

I'm planning 3 days. I think I decided not to go to sienna. Maybe just a day trip to Pisa.

Hi snowflake,

Mind sharing why you would rather go to Pisa than Siena?

I think that Siena has much more to offer as a daytrip from Florence.

Yep, agree. Florence with day trip to Siena - nice!

I was thinking I probably should go see the leaning tower. But as this is my first trip, I'm still learning about all the different sights to see. Thanks for you advice.

Snowflake - so much to see, so little time.

I finally talked my wife out of a day trip to see Pisa. We'll save it for another trip and concentrate on the small villages around Montepulciano. I would even like to skip Florence this trip and save it for later, but then I would be pushing it.

Snowflake814 If you would like to see Pisa I think you should go, espec as it's your first trip to Italy. The tower is pretty astonishing, and, in my opinion, as lovely as Pisa is, it is the only Pisa 'must-see'. Florence is not just art - wonderful markets. The Duomo, Campanile and Baptistry are amazing (the climb to the top of either is worth it). It is a great city to explore on foot.

Snowflake, I vote for staying in Siena, and doing florence as a day-tour! I stayed in florence for 3 nights and in siena for 1 night, and next time I would spend all the nights in siena and do florence as a day-tour, plus maybe take another day-tour from Siena into Tuscany countryside.

Loved Siena not impressed with Florence. From my experience people either LOVE Florence or HATE Florence. Stay overnight right in Florence.
Wish I was going back.

I'm so confused now. But I do think I will like Siena better. Do you know if I would need a car? Also, how would I get to Venice from there?

Thanks so much!!

Snowflake, Siena is a lovely city and in a great location.

If you plan to just stay in Siena, you do not need a car. If you plan to visit the surrounding towns, a car is necessary because it is the most convenient way to get around in Tuscany.

From Siena, you can drive to Venice, which we did because of a train strike, or take the train...your preference.

Calm down, everything will fall into place.