My husband and I will be in Tuscany (about 30 km from Siena) in early June 2013. So much to see, so little time. We have one day to visit Siena for our first time. We will have a rental car but are open to bus. We love history, people-watching, so-so on art; we are mobile. I have RS guide -as well as others- but was interested to see what advice I'd receive here. You've been good as gold on other trips! Thanks.
Posted by
Gettysburg, PA
1589 posts
Leave the car & take the bus to Siena, walk about 300 yards to the square. Everything there is self expanatory.
Posted by
OP
Meridian MS
248 posts
Wow...didn't realize it would be so fool-proof. Thanks for all your help!
Posted by
Toronto, Canada
415 posts
I recommend the bus also. Once in Siena, go to the city hall- Palazzo Pubblico - and see the frescoes and the choir stalls there. If you are a climber, you can also climb up to the top of the building for a really beautiful view of the surrounding area. Also I love the floors in the cathedral - try to find the machine that turns on the lights over the floors - you insert a euro and the lights come up so you can really get a good look at the floor (most of the floor is covered to protect it). People watching in the Piazza del Campo is good too.
Posted by
Lake Forest, CA, USA
1633 posts
Even if you are so-so on art, allow yourself enough time for the interior of the Duomo. It is magnificent. Read about it in your RS guide.
Posted by
Naples, Italy
14 posts
Put Piazza del campo in your GPS... drive there and park at the public parking. Spend the day enjoying people watching, the duomo, a coffee, etc. Sundays in the summer they have people marching through to represent those who got baptized into their districts... it's beautiful
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
Start in the Campo and take any of the side streets around it. I've made a full day of just walking around. If you happen to be there during university graduation days, you will probably see a number of young people wearing laurel crowns, the traditional headwear for students who have completed their doctorates (I asked after seeing several laurel crowns in one afternoon).
Posted by
Texan in CA
4407 posts
If you a a fresco nut, definitely see the baptistry! Ahhhhh... Get some gelato, then just stroll the streets. Don't miss Il Campo, the cathedral (and Picolomini Library), and be on the lookout for some great valley views. If you're staying for dinner, send me a private message - I'll find the name of the great restaurant just behind the Palazzo Pubblico. If you're so inclined, there's a nice 'wine bar' (they have food, too, but...) near the entrance to Palazzo Pubblico on Il Campo (check the menus for several pages of wines). It's a must to spend time on Il Campo just gazing..
Posted by
Seattle
49 posts
Don't miss the Basilica of San Domenico... it's kind of on the other side of town, but the views of the Duomo and Torre del Mangia are spectacular. If you're big into relics, the basilica has the head of Saint Catherine of Siena, which is truly something to behold. If you're not a gruesome Catholic like myself, there's a fantastic restaurant just around the corner from the basilica. It's called Zest, and the address is Costa di Sant' Antonio 13. Just follow Via della Sapienza downhill until you see the little street on your right blocked off to cars by concrete stanchions. Turn right; Zest is halfway down the hill.
Posted by
OP
Meridian MS
248 posts
Thanks for help. I also "liked" Tuscany's Facebook page and am rewarded periodically with beautiful photos from Tuscany. Excited about: "For the first time, it will be possible to reach the "sky" of the Siena's Cathedral! Do not miss this extraordinary opening of the Porta del Cielo (Gate of Heaven), "just" until October 27"
I love travel!