Siena Daytrip
 

Hi all,

Please advise with your recommendations for must see sites in Siena as well as good restaurant for lunch. We are driving from San Gimignano and would spend entire day. Anything ususual that you enjoyed? I am overwhelmed looking through guidebooks as well as the forum. Thanks in advance for your help!

When are you going, Z

Paraphrasing a little from my trip report:

Duomo - "The most amazing part of the entire place to me was the Libreria Piccolomini, which features ten huge frescoes by Pinturicchio and his assistants that cover the ceiling and walls. The audioguide describes each fresco, and it is quite entertaining and enlightening."

Definitely in my Europe Top 25.

((H))

Thank you..that's a good start! We arrive in Tuscany on May 5th and depart for Rome May 17th. We will definitely do day trips to Siena, Lucca and Montalcino plus an overnight in Florence. Still trying to figure out the rest! I stayed up until 2 am last night and was quite delirious. I can't even decipher some of my notes:)

Even though Siena is quite small, you won't be able to really see all of it in a day, but it's certainly worth the trip. My favorite restaurants were Trattoria Fori Porta on Porto Romano and Trattoria del Pepei at Piazza del Mercato.

Climb to the top of the Torre del Mangia (bell tower) for awesome views. It's only 500 steps up a narrow little stair.

Be aware that Wednesday is market day in Siena and parking can be difficult.

I've visited Siena on two different trips now and really love the cathedral...the striped marble is breathtaking and as maitaitom said, the library is gorgeous. The view from both the tower and from the museum behind the cathedral (so you can see the campo and the tower) is amazing. I haven't spent an entire day on either visit though, maybe 4-5 hours tops.

Wonderful. I really appreciate the various replies I have received from you all.

tuscanlifeedit...other than the parking issue it might be fun to peruse the market for some good food items to bring back to the agriturismo...or is it really a headache?

mario06....I found a really great idea from your recommended web-site. Apparently artists from all over the world have created contemporary sculptures at the Chianti Sculpture Park. Sounds interesting!!