5 days around Siena, Italy - end of August

[22s]

Hi all,

We're attending a wedding in Siena, Italy at the end of August and have five days prior for a bit of exploring. I'm getting a bit overwhelmed by the options of what to do nearby!

We haven't booked flights yet, so that's flexible, and will probably hire a car to get around.

If anyone has a recommended itinerary / things to do, I'd really appreciate some pointers!

Thanks

[The Leaper]

Take an organised day trip to Assisi. It will likely take in Cortona and Perugia too.

Get the train to Florence for a day, see the Uffizi having pre booked tickets etc.

R.

[Gin and Ultrasonic]

Lots of suggestions about what to do around Tuscany here:

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

If you've not been before, I'd recommend going to Florence on the train which is a great day trip.

[bloomen]

I used to wander aimlessly through the hills between Forli and Siena every weekend when I lived there. Lots of untapped wonders and well worth a day just setting off and seeing where you end up.

[Zaichik]

If you have a car, then there are lots of small towns worth visiting - you will find nice restaurants, bars, views etc and make these your own discoveries.

Places like:
Rada, Voltera, San Gimignano, Siena, Florence all worth seeing. If you can go up the coast, Cinque Terre is very pretty but can be difficult in a car.

[towser44]

Best holiday we've ever done was a week in an apartment just outside Florence. Florence is stunning, book to do the Duomo di Firenze (Cathedral). The climbs up both the tower and the Dome are hard going, but really really interesting and the views at the top are epic :-)

[Lotobear]

Everything that's been said above, Florence is simply stunning.

Montepulciano - and visit Cafe Poliziano, like an Italian Bettys!

And yes Cinque Terre which is easly accessed via train - heading there for the third time on Monday for a week (Manarola) and can't wait.

[JamesW]

Got Married in Siena in 2017. Town is lovely, and the roads around it are fantastic for a blast around

[JamesW]

The church in Montepulcianois the one from the English patient

[craigthecoupe]

Pleasant as it is, Cinque Terre is 3 1/3 hours from Siena by train, and i doubt any quicker by car. It'll also be rammed in August I'd expect. There's so much around you, no need to spend hours travelling. There's a lot to be said for slowing down, staying local and enjoying the way of life in Italy, especially in Tuscany. A lie in, potter into town, long slow lunch, mooch about with an aperitivo/pizza dinner, bliss!

[matrignano]

Hire a car for sure.

One day in Florence.
One day touring the hills, Montepulciano and San Gimignano as mentioned is worth a stop, I also like Monteriggioni and Pienza.

Spend the rest in Siena eating pici with truffles, boar ragu, tripe, rabbit and drinking Tuscan wine

[Lotobear]

craigthecoupe said:

Pleasant as it is, Cinque Terre is 3 1/3 hours from Siena by train, and i doubt any quicker by car. It'll also be rammed in August I'd expect. There's so much around you, no need to spend hours travelling. There's a lot to be said for slowing down, staying local and enjoying the way of life in Italy, especially in Tuscany. A lie in, potter into town, long slow lunch, mooch about with an aperitivo/pizza dinner, bliss!

Fair point (from Sienna) but I'd assumed the OP will be flying into Pisa and could make CT his first mini trip before heading off to Tuscany.

[andyA700]

matrignano said:

Hire a car for sure.

One day in Florence.
One day touring the hills, Montepulciano and San Gimignano as mentioned is worth a stop, I also like Monteriggioni and Pienza.

Spend the rest in Siena eating pici with truffles, boar ragu, tripe, rabbit and drinking Tuscan wine

This IMHO is the best suggestion so far.

[sugerbear]

Wild boar Tagliatelle and Gelato. That is all you need.

[The Leaper]

f you hire a car, check out all the ZTLs. Very easy to get caught and pick up a succession of fines, especially in any towns.

R.

[The Leaper]

sugerbear said:

Wild boar Tagliatelle and Gelato. That is all you need.

Oh, yes. Cinghale e tagliatelle, e valpolicella. So difficult to get wild boar in the UK.

R.

[James P]

If you’re travelling around and pass through Saturnia, the hot spas are worth visiting. They’re public so free although there is a spa place you can pay to visit. If you’re staying there, fabulous steak restaurant in the town square.

In Sienna, look for the restaurant with a queue outside and then book. It’s good enough that the local priest lets them give him lunch every day.

[22s]

Some great recommendations, thanks all.

Plan is:

Wed: fly into Florence, pick up car, have day/night there
Thu: drive into 'the hills' - Montepulciano, etc, drive to Siena to stay
Fri: Chill in Siena, wild boar, etc
Sat/Sun/Mon: wedding
Tue: fly home!


There are a few places mentioned that we'd love to see, but time doesn't permit on this trip - I didn't realise the wedding was actually 3 days long so our 5 days of free time rapidly got compressed to 3!