We are deciding between both and wanted some feedback. Thanks and have a good day

This is a tough question to answer without knowing what sorts of things you like doing, and how long you plan to stay.<BR><BR>First let me say that many, many people dislike San Gimagnano because they say it is too touristy and busy. Invariably, I find that those who say that went there only on a day trip, and so in that sense they are probably right. But if you are looking for a place to spend a few days as a break from busy Florence (which is the usual reason for asking about these two places) I say that SG is the better choice. We stayed there for three nights and drove out during the day to other hilltowns and had a wonderful time. Returning each day about 5 was a delight -- just as all the daytrippers had left. SG is a magical place at night. <BR><BR>Siena is a wonderful town. There is more to &quot;do&quot; there certainly, and if you are more interested in a larger town or city, with a sort of feel of history and art, not totally unlike Florence (but admittedly not a direct comparison) then Siena is a good choice as well. But we also found the traffic there to be unbearable. We spend a couple of hours looking for parking one day -- and got jammed into a line at a big parking lot that was full with no one letting is in or out for at least a half hour. I wouldn't want to stay there and fight the traffic in and out each day if you are looking for it as a base. But if you want to stay in the city for a couple of days, it could be a delightful choice.

As a day trip, for a week long stay, to get married in? What do you like to do? Give some basic information to work with (we all can't read minds you know) and I am sure you will get some great answers.

Hi Lisa,<BR><BR>I went to San G. as a day trip and although it was a little crowded, we were there in mid-October and it wasn't bad. I loved it! It is a very quaint little town.<BR><BR>Siena is bigger and is also lovely. I agree with the others, it depends on how long and what you like to do etc. Either one would be great!<BR><BR>Karen

Here is the deal..we will be on our honeymoon and want to spend 4 nights in Tuscany. We want to spend at the most 200.00 a night. thank you

If you do a text search for each of these towns you might find very helpful info. Some of these posts also contain websites. Hope this helps.

In Siena the traffic is certainly not unbearable as the storical center is closed to traffic. To park the car outside the walls is very easy, unfortunately most guide books are not updated and send everyone to the 1 carpark at the stadium that on Wednesdays is closed for the market and also when the soccer team plays at home. In the last years several new car parks have been opened around the walls. Exit Siena West (ovest)you have Santa Caterina (3 storey underground)-Il Duomo car park (2 storey)-exit Siena Sud (south) Il Campo (4 storey), then on the other side of town S.Francesco (2 storey) with escalators that take you into town!. I live in Siena and read that this town has the most car park spaces per capita in Europe!!<BR>Going back to your question, Siena would be my choise, if I was to stay overnight i would stay in Siena and maybe do a side trip to Sangi.

They are only :30 apart. Stay in Siena and day trip to San Gim.

I would choose to stay in Siena and day trip from there. San Gimignano is a nice day trip bundled with Volterra. From Siena it is easy to get to the south of Tuscany and see Montalcino, Montepulciano and Pienza, or head north to Lucca and Florence. Lots of places to go at night in Siena.<BR><BR>As for a place to stay, I assume you mean under $200. Palazzo Ravizza is one of the nicest places in Siena but close to that price. A lot lower in price but still a wonderful place is the Villa Libty. For both you can google and get their homepages.<BR><BR>HTH

Will you have a car? If not, I'd recommend the reverse of Bob the Nav's plan: Stay in San G so you can be there when the daytrippers have gone home. <BR>But if I were going to spend four days in just one town, no daytrips, I'd pick Siena.

I can't speak to the San G question as I was among the many who visited it during the day. I can imagine it being charming at night however my vote is for Siena. There is a great deal to see and do in Siena. It's the kind of place I can imagine spending several days in and one is the very least I would stay. We found the parking at the Campo site listed above to be really easy to find, navigate our way in and out of and with a nice walk to the &quot;heart of it all&quot; the campo. There have been several posts about hotels in Siena on this site..type in hotels-siena and see what comes up then folks can comment. I recommend Osteria Logge as a place for either lunch or dinner in Siena and say you should not miss the Duomo. Siena has good shopping. We found lovely linens and great baked goods(panforte) to bring home. There is a vast amount of Tuscan pottery for sale there as well.

As for parking in Siena, check with your hotel. Ours had an arrangement with a garage that was not far from the hotel. The hotel was an easy walk to the Campo and it worked out great!

I went to both a couple of Aprils ago and found absolutely no crowds. I'm not sure what time of year you're going, but if its in low season, don't let the crowd comments scare you. Both were practically empty. That said, I much preferred Siena.

I loved San G., but you must stay overnight. the tourists leave after 5. Siena is terrific. beautiful, but bmuch, much bigger and more like a big town if you want that. What we loved about Italy was the small town feel of certain places in Tuscany and Umbria. We loved the cities, too. But, San G. is a must and you must stay there overnight. It is totally different in the evening. Incredible. Watch sunrise and set. A must. <BR>

If you have a car I would not stay neither in Siena nor in San Gimignano. I'd rather stay in some agriturism nearby (must I repeat that my favorite is &quot;Fonte di sopra&quot; in Radicondoli? I have been there again for 4 days last week, spent 44 euro per person for sleeping, breakfast and dinner and had a great time and great food). From this lace you will be able to daytrip to Siena, San Gimignano and a few more destinations (Monteriggioni, Chiusdino, Volterra, Massa Marittima and more) driving for some 30 minutes across a great landscape, staying after the daytrippers have gone or returning after your dinner for a nightime visit.

Hi Lisa,<BR>I had the same question trying to decided between the two places. <BR>After reading a lot and some email conversations back and forth, we decided to spend 4 nights in San Gimi. A lady from there is meeting our bus in Siena and for a tour there and then driving us to San Gimi. the next day she is our tour guide also. We are staying at La Cisterna (that's our splurge for this trip) and I have to say that the reception there is absolutly wonderful. I have corresponded with 2 different people and they are so nice and welcoming and have answered ALL (!) my questions and given suggestions. I think I finally chose to stay there just because of the nice vibes I felt during the email. They even put me in touch with the guide. We won't have a car, (too old and nervous) so this is the best way for us. We will be there mostly in the morning and evenings andhope to avoid the huge crowds.<BR>Good luck!

whats the point in choosing between the two? 3 nights in Siena, 1 in San Gim. We were there recently - evening time in both is lovely - not to be missed, and for different reasons.