tcreath

I have to admit that I too was ready to leave Siena after spending the day there. Not that I didn't like it. We really enjoyed our visit, and it was a nice break from Florence (which, sorry, I just didn't care for). Its just that I felt like we seen most things that we wanted to see in a day. I wouldn't mind going back, but a day or two, for me, would be plenty.

Unfortunately I haven't been to Chianciano so I can't comment on it.

Tracy

Girlspytravel

Beatle-this might help you: A review on Trip Advisor of another hotel, but it gives a good recent description of Chianciano as well:

It was my first trip to Italy since a young child. I wanted a few days to relax and unwind. Somewhere where I would not meet too many other foreign tourists, I wanted the Italian experience but with tourist amenities, so go where the Italians spend their holidays!

After much research we settled on Chianciano Terme. This is a very smart resort spa town built upon its famous water reputation for curing all kinds of ills. There are no thermal waters for sitting in like a pool as such; here the water is mostly used for drinking. However there is a first class health spa for massages thermal treatments etc.

This is a place where very well mannered, smart and mostly rich Italian couples go for their holidays. In fairness it’s not really for very young people with the average age 50 plus but this depends on what you are looking for. For us in our thirties it was ideal, a true Italian experience. And with a new health spa that has a fantastic range of treatments people of all ages can enjoy Chianciano.

So what do these mature very well cultured smart Italians do on holiday? They dance together arm in arm in the loveliest surroundings, inside the water park (the same place where you can drink the water) with live music background.

We chose the hotel Villa Maria because it has a great value spa package. The hotel was beyond our expectations, people make a place and here the attention to service was first class. All the staff are friendly and helpful and became friends during our stay. A special mention for Fabrizio the manager who speaks excellent English, he truly made our stay memorable with his help and advice. I would highly recommend the full board as the meals are fantastic. True Italian style dishes served in generous portions. Overall an exceptionally clean, very well managed hotel that became a home for us. This review really does not do the Villa Maria justice.

Our routine after our fantastic hotel lunch was to take a siesta and mid afternoon wander over to the park set in gorgeous green surroundings, sit and sip the water (in cups provided or bring your own) lazily soaking up the sun listening to the live band. A very cultured relaxing experience.

We highly recommend the health spa which is moving to a new location within the park itself from September 2006, so it is even more convenient to the hotel Villa Maria literally 2 minutes walk away. The hotel as we mentioned offers a great spa package of several treatments (I especially recommend the healing hands of the Shiatsu therapist) and full board accommodation, very good value and if you’re new to spa treatments the ideal choice.

Chianciano Terme is a magical place for us and the hotel Villa Maria our special secret home in Italy. We will definitely be going back there for a quiet relaxing few days several times a year and enjoy the waters of Chianciano and the spa treatments, I am sure my wife and I will learn to dance old fashioned style arm in arm, and one day have the courage to join the Italians dancing in such beautiful surroundings.

In conclusion, Chianciano was like stepping back in time to another age of good manners and culture. If you want to meet cultured Italians in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere (as most of the Italians are here on holiday just like you!) and especially if you are looking for somewhere that has serious health benefits then we highly recommend this place and for us there is only one hotel we would stay Hotel Villa Maria.

Henry

Beatle,

Siena, what’s there to do? Piazza del campo, one of the most beautiful and famous piazza in Italy, the seashell shaped piazza where the Palio is run. On the lower end of the campo is the town hall and tower. The Palazzo Pubblico contains many works of Sienese art; one of the more famous frescoes by Ambrogio Lorenzetti shows the effects of good and bad government. The Torre di Mangia provides a breath-taking view of the city (don’t try this if you have a weak heart or are claustrophobic). The Duomo (design most influenced by Giovanni Pisano) was built to impress and it does. Inside are an astonishing number of busts, statues, frescoes, and painting. The octagonal marble pulpit by Nicola Pisano is amazing, as are the works by Donatello, Bernini, and Michelangelo. The Libreria Piccolomini contains many illuminated books and brilliant frescoes. The floor is covered by art but unfortunately most of this is covered by cardboard except during floorshows (bring on the nuns – sorry). Outside the Duomo you can see the Archbishop’s palace, Spedale di Santa Marie delle Scale (1000 year old hospital contains frescoes that are huge), Museo dell’Opera del Duomo. There are palaces (palace of the Piccolomini, Logge del Papa, Loggia della Mercanzia, Palazzo Chigi-Saracini); churches (San Domenico-with the head of Saint Catherine, Basillica di San Francesco, Sant’Agostino) and enotece (the Enoteca Italia in the fortezza has more wines to try then you have time).
The market (by the fortezza) is on Wednesday mornings (about three hundred vendors) providing basic goods to locals. Ceramics are sold all over but especially on the street between the Campo and Duomo.

But with all there is to do don’t miss just strolling through a real town that looks like it hasn’t changed in hundreds of years.

Beatle

basing- thanks for the info on the jolly hotel, and Tracy for the Siena comments. Girlspy- how thoughtful to give me the tripadvisor post, enjoyed it a lot. And Henry- loved your comments about Siena. Boy, this is a tough one! I'm still contemplating!

Jan57

I know you weren't really asking for hotel info, but couldn't resist. We stayed 1 night (mid-June 2002) at a Jolly Hotel in La Spezia enroute to the Cinque Terre. I am sure you are aware that it is a big business-like hotel chain. It was an incredibly hot, humid summer and their air conditioning was horrible--the worst we have had in 5 summer trips to Europe. I probably slept a few minutes that whole night and had to get up in the middle of the night to take a shower to cool off. The rooms were fine and they had a good breakfast, but that horrible A/C I will never forget.

Beatle

Jan57- yes, hotel info might be a factor on choosing one city over the other. Just as I think I'm leaning toward Chianciano due to it's proximity to the Pienza area, then a post sways me toward Siena. I think I am very "slightly" leaning toward Chianciano because with only 2 days as I said I'd mostly like to explore Pienza, Montepulciano etc, but definitely haven't decided yet. Thanks again for all the opinions, and would welcome any further input!

basingstoke1

The bottom line is that you can't go wrong with either choice, both Siena and Chianciano have much to offer and both are worthy places to visit. If you choose Siena however, I would research a different hotel.

tcreath

Beatle, when I read the post above about Chianciano and its proximitely to Pienza, I realized that I have been there (as I mentioned in my post above that I had not)! We spent five nights in Umbria in March, and drove through Chianciano to get to Montepulciano and Pienza as a daytrip from Umbria. I do recall the town being nice. I don't think its nearly as nice as Montepulciano or Pienza, but its nice in its own right, and there looked to be quite a few restaurants and cafes. And its proximitely to Pienza and Montepulciano make it the winner in my opinion; I loved this region of Tuscany. The views are to die for!

Tracy

Beatle

Thanks Tracy and basingstoke. I think I agree Tracy and am leaning toward Chianciano for the 2 nights. I've checked here and trip advisor but can't find too many comments about the Grand Hotel Terme in Chian.