Setting aside the expense of hiring a driver to take us from Florence to Siena for a short visit and then on to Rome, as opposed to just talking the train to Rome, do you think it is worthwhile if we only have 2 or 3 hours in Siena? Can I see the Piazza de Campo, the Duomo and the Civic Museum in that time? We're a family of four.

I enjoyed Sienna but I don't feel it would be worth the hassle for that short amount of time. Throw in dinner at Cano e Gato and maybe it's a different story?

Cheers, the turnip

You can see most sights in Siena in several hours but I am not sure it is worth the detour.
It is a nice spot to visit but not an absolute must.

the Duomo *inside* alone would have made it worth it for me, unless you are planning to be back in Tuscany soon with more time on your hands.

We had 1/2 day of which I spent 2 hours inside the cathedral. This time of the year, usually through October, the priceless floor mosaics are open for public view.

btw, I would second the Cane and Gatto dinner suggestion. They are closed Thursdays and are open for dinner only.

First of all, I am so jealous you will be in Florence, and so close to Siena. You also forgot about Ghiberti's Bronze Doors. I think it might depend on how old the children are.

Why don't you take an AM train to Siena, put your luggage in a locker and see the town, and then take a train to Rome.

Have a wonderful trip.

Traveldi

Thank you all for your posts. The idea came to me because I also secretly wanted to go to the Outlet Mall, and figured we could stop there, then Siena, and then make it to Rome.

But if we can't see much - and it is very expensive, Luca (recommended here) has quoted me 550 euros - perhaps we will have to save Siena for another trip.

Which leaves the question of whether we should still go to the Mall, either with bus company or taxi, that morning and then return to check out and take train to Rome?

hi, pkdof,

I'm puzzled - you're in florence, you're going to Rome, and you want to go to an outlet mall.

Why???

regards, ann

regarding PP
ditto !!!

Yes - just seeing this classic hill city is a joy - for a minute or a few hours

Or you could pick another hill town closer to Rome to break up the journey - like Montepulciano - smaller and more manageable

Ann, I know it sounds crazy, I just keep hearing about great deals on handbags, etc. I love Prada, Tod's, etc. And when I mentioned it to my family, my daughter's face lit up.

Depending on your home currency, the lower prices at an outlet mall could be a wash for you. Today's exchange rate for the US dollar > Euro is abysmal.

I would see Siena before an outlet mall, if I was on time constraints. But that's me.

hi, pkdof,

there are wonderful markets in florence and lovely shops in Rome, where you can get many individual items. I suspect your daughter will love those too, and lose interest in the mall.

if you have the chance of a few hours in siena, I'd jump at it. we prefer it to Florence, to be honest.

regards, ann

since Siena is less than an hour by bus from Florence and if you will be in Florence some days you may want to day trip there and then hop the train to Rome

Yes, I would definitely make the trip to Siena, we love it, its such a beautiful place, you wont regret it.

We only have two nights in Florence, so maybe it is best to skip the mall, spend a few hours in Siena on the way to Rome.

definitely skip the mall