I have tried to secure accomodation in Siena for 1 night in June using recommendations in tourist books, internet etc. without success, does any one have any suggestions. <BR>Maureen

Maureen, <BR>Siena is a very tight market in the summer and the end of June (28th, I believe you said in your other port) is close to the Palio, so even if there are rooms available the hotels may be holding them for longer 3-4 night rentals. My suggestion, go to Siena for the day and stay way outside of Siena for the night. Better than nothing, but it is late to look for rooms. When we were there in the summer several years ago, I overheard the tourist office telling people that the closest rooms were several towns away. My advice, widen your search.Sorry

If you have truly tried all the hotels in the books without success, you could always wing it and try to get a room when you get there. There are a lot of tiny hotels that never make it on the tourist office list, guide books or the internet. You may have to be flexible with the qualtiy of accomodation... but it is only one night and you will only be sleeping there. Some things to know about Sienna. First the parking around Sienna is nightmarish. I cannot overstate that. Second, if you end up trying to get a hotel in a town on the ouskirts of Sienna, take a bus into Sienna even if you have a car. Finally, Sienna is abundantly more interesting at night.

To everybody here: <BR>Just found out that the Palio will take place on Sunday July 2 and August 16, 2001. <BR>It's quite an experience. I have been there once. But above all, it's an event for locals who encourage "their" horse to win. <BR> <BR>It will indeed be most difficult to find a room around these dates.

It will be the Palio time--begins a week before the actual race. Either try to rearrange your itinerary to avoid Siena then or plan to stay well outside of the city. I would look at bus/train routes into Siena and try to book a hotel on one of the lines to there. Even our Italian cousins have their reservations in place several months ahead of the Palio week and don't always get their first choice. It's hard to see the "normal" Siena during Palio, but on the other side of the coin, Palio is a very unique experience. Good luck.