Sienna with side trip to San Gimiguano
 

Dear Travel Friends... My husband and I will be in Florence for part of a 26 day Italian Dream Adventure this October. We will be coming from Sorrento on Wednesday 25th probably arriving late that afternoon by train. Probably Thursday and Friday experiencing Florence, and then early on the Saturday morning, heading down to Sienna to take Paolos 'Walking Tour'and hopefully to call into San Gim for perhaps coffee on the way down or back. This will be by bus (I think I've read it's easier) Is the plan to call in and see San Gimi first for coffee and then head on to Sienna for the rest of the day, and perhaps stay for dinner and catch a later bus back advisable? Has anybody else done this? I have tried a search, and there is lots of info on Sienna, but not specifically what I am wanting to know. Approx times for buses would be great, if anyone knows (Paolo, the Travel Expert??)Thankyou very much for any and all help.... DLC..

I am by no means Paulo the expert, but perhaps this website can be of some help <BR> <BR>www.turismoverde.com/english/ <BR>enhome.htm includes bus schedules <BR>

Can I make a serious suggestion? If I were you, I would stay in San G and do Siena as the day trip. San G is worth more than just a cup of coffee, but Siena is really just a big city. I know, I know, there are a lot of people who will argue with that. But except for the cathedral and Il Campo, we did not find Siena to be charming at all. Just a thought. San G is lovely and you should stay over night at the Antico Pozzo and eat at La Mangiatoia.

I had just the opposite opinions about the two places. I thought San G was more touristy and less interesting than I expected, while I fell in love with Siena. Yes, parts of it are bustling with people going about their business (although I would never think of it as a "large" city), but their "business" is in a medieval setting with original old streets and architecture. <BR>Just shows that people's impressions differ

Debbie Lee, This may be blasphemy but I <BR>would consider taking the Gray Line <BR>type of bus tour from Florence rather <BR>than the local bus lines. I believe one <BR>does Siena, Volterra, San Gim. in an <BR>8 hour scenario. It may be tough to get <BR>the bus schedules to mesh for your needs

Debbie, I won't discuss the issue if it's advisable to visit San G. or Siena or both cities on a daytrip from Florence by using public transportation. IMO this is a very personal matter. <BR> <BR>As you may know, San G. doesn't have a train station of its own. It's served by the train station at Poggibonsi and a bus or taxi to shuttle between both cities would be called for. That I know of, there aren't direct buses from Florence to San G. SITA buses between both cities stop quite often along the way and the journey takes longer than from Florence to Siena on the Express bus. There are frequent buses both ways between Siena and San G. during daytime. If you've visited the site mentioned by Elaine, you shold have seen that the last express bus from Siena to Florence on a Saturday leaves at 7:10pm. I don't know exactly when the last bus leaves from San G. to Florence but you may assume that it's also around 7pm. The last train from San G./Poggibonsi into Florence leaves at 9:45pm, arriving at 10:44pm. From Siena it leaves at 9:23pm, arriving at 10:45pm. <BR> <BR>So, if you would like to enjoy your daytrip for a couple of hours longer, you'd have to take the train back to Florence. In this case, I would take an early (6:30am or 7:10am) SITA through bus to Siena (arriving at 8:00/8:40am; SITA bus station in Siena is across the square in front of S.M.Novella train station). After visiting some of Siena and lunch, I would find my way to San G. midafternoon (bus at San Domenico church). After visiting and having an early dinner, I would get a taxi to Poggibonsi and a train back to Florence. <BR> <BR>Paulo <BR>

Many thanks once again for these great suggestions... Just one query, the Gray Line bus, does that stop so you can get off and have a look at these places, or is it just a regular bus service that connects all of these places? Is it expensive? Thanks again....DLC...

I guess that Bob is referring to organized guided tours. There are quite a few operators that specifically offer the Siena/San G. combo on a full day tour. The price varies depending on operator, type of transportation (bus or van) and wheather lunch is included or not. My guess is that when lunch is included the price/person ranges from about $65 to 95 depending on type of transportation. When lunch is not included this should go down to about $40/50. <BR> <BR>Below are some examples (not necessarily updated) <BR> <BR>http://www.gteinc.com/tours/guided_t...gimignano.html <BR> <BR>http://www.fionline.it/sunnytuscany/ <BR> <BR>http://www.weekendafirenze.com/excur...ns02.htm#siena <BR> <BR>Paulo <BR>

Elaine, let me guess. You did not actually spend the night in San Gimangnano, right? So far, everyone who has told me they didn´t like S.G. had only visited it on day trips. I can´t imagine wandering the streets there in the evening and at night, or in the early morning and not absolutely loving it. I agree with "Nosienna", and I have stayed in both places. But, yes, S.G. does get rather packed with bus trips of tourists during the day.