Where Would You Go
Jun 16th, 2004 | 04:04 PM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Jul 2003
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Where Would You Go
Hi, I'm having a little problem deciding where to go, I've bought my plane ticket to spend a month in Italy in August. I am basing myself in one spot for 2 weeks either Florence or Siena. Last year I studied at a school in Florence for a week. This time I was thinking of doing the same thing in Siena, but then Florence might be a better base to do day trips to venice, cinque terre, even rome, not to mention the rest of tuscany. I'm traveling alone and would like a place where I can get around fairly easy.Siena on the other hand I remember how beautiful and peaceful it was but I'm wondering if Siena will be busy with lots to see and do in the evening night time such as shops, restaurants and I'm not sure how easy day trips would be. Any suggestions?
Jun 16th, 2004 | 04:44 PM
#4
Joined: Mar 2003
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Hello, Maria,
You don't say where you will be spending the other two weeks of your month's stay in Italy, but if a whole month is at your disposal and you have already spent a week in Florence, then spend a week in Siena (you will find enough to do in Siena, with day trips to places NEARBY - San Gimignano, Montalcino, Montepulciano, Pienza are some that come to mind -- to fill out the week), a week in Venice and a week in Rome. In my opinion, a day trip to either Venice or Rome would only be an exercise in frustration, hardly enough to give you even a taste of either city. And that leaves you with a final week to take it easy: in the Cinque Terre, on the Amalfi Coast or in the Lakes region (which many people love; I personally do not).
Travelling alone is not a problem, but Siena IS a little more difficult to get around from than Florence. When I visited the Tuscan hill towns, I did happen to do it by car (the only time in 30 or more visits to Italy), but I'm fairly confident that you would be able to get to most of them quite easily by regional bus.
You don't say where you will be spending the other two weeks of your month's stay in Italy, but if a whole month is at your disposal and you have already spent a week in Florence, then spend a week in Siena (you will find enough to do in Siena, with day trips to places NEARBY - San Gimignano, Montalcino, Montepulciano, Pienza are some that come to mind -- to fill out the week), a week in Venice and a week in Rome. In my opinion, a day trip to either Venice or Rome would only be an exercise in frustration, hardly enough to give you even a taste of either city. And that leaves you with a final week to take it easy: in the Cinque Terre, on the Amalfi Coast or in the Lakes region (which many people love; I personally do not).
Travelling alone is not a problem, but Siena IS a little more difficult to get around from than Florence. When I visited the Tuscan hill towns, I did happen to do it by car (the only time in 30 or more visits to Italy), but I'm fairly confident that you would be able to get to most of them quite easily by regional bus.
Jun 17th, 2004 | 10:40 PM
#6
Joined: Jan 2003
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Maria, I had the same issue last year. Had a week to kill...and I chose Siena.
I was traveling alone and just wanted to relax, as it was to be my down time after 2 months of ongoing travel and gearing up for another 2 more. I wanted good food, be able sleep in, just mosey around town and feel cozy.
With that being said, in your shoes I'd choose Florence. Since you're basing yourself, it is easier to get around from Florence. Plus you may feel more alone in the quietness of Siena (although sometimes I feel more alone in bigger cities). In Florence (I went through a couple of times) I was always on the go seeing something. My memories of Siena pretty much are eating gelato lounging around in the Campo watching the clouds sail by.
Enjoy your time in Italy!
I was traveling alone and just wanted to relax, as it was to be my down time after 2 months of ongoing travel and gearing up for another 2 more. I wanted good food, be able sleep in, just mosey around town and feel cozy.
With that being said, in your shoes I'd choose Florence. Since you're basing yourself, it is easier to get around from Florence. Plus you may feel more alone in the quietness of Siena (although sometimes I feel more alone in bigger cities). In Florence (I went through a couple of times) I was always on the go seeing something. My memories of Siena pretty much are eating gelato lounging around in the Campo watching the clouds sail by.
Enjoy your time in Italy!
