This October my husband and I are spending three days in Rome, five days in Cortona, and three days in Florence. We want to take a day trip to Siena: Would it be better to go (by car) from Cortona or Florence? Also: We'll be in Florence on a Monday, when most major attractions are closed. What are some good alternative activities/sights? We're not big shoppers....

It is easier to go to Siena from Florence, frequently express buses take only 1 1/2 hours. <BR> <BR>All shops open on Monday,churches and piazzas also. Just walking the whole city to see buildings from different periods is a great experience.

Kathy, Hit Siena enroute from Cortona to Florence--if you are driving.

Bob, Thanks for the advice. Sounds like a good idea to visit Siena on the way to Florence. We'll get an early start: Would it be possible to include San Gimignano too, or is it just too far out of the way?

No, San Gemignano is not too far. Say a 30 mins drive, more or less, from Siena. Although too touristy, it's a lovely medieval village, a totally different set comparing with Siena or Florence. Allow yourselves more time in Siena, since there's more to see there, and it's bigger.

Monday in Florence is a good day for a visit to the Boboli Garden behind the Pitti Palace. Great views of the city!

Why are you staying so long in Cortona and less time in Siena? There's MUCH more to see in the Siena area and the driving is about 100 times easier! Cortona makes San Francisco look flat and it's a long drive in and out if you're going to be sightseeing in the area. (Just my opinion) Cortona and the lack of courtesy there didn't impress me much. Siena and the surrounding countryside was much more beautiful, and the people were a lot friendlier.

Carin,You wondered why we're staying so long in Cortona? Well, we wanted a base to visit both Tuscany and Umbria and heard good things about Cortona and Il Falconiere. In a 19-day trip (our first to Italy) we're also visiting Rome, Florence, Venice, and Lake Como, so we wanted to stay in one spot for a while. <BR>On our next trip, we'll take the advice you give so freely and spend more time in/near Siena! But for now we're happy with our choice.