2 days in Siena

Susanne, because you are staying 2 nights you will have two opportunities to wander around Siena in the evening which by all accounts is outstanding. The Duomo and it's history is fascinating in particular the Library. This is a must see for anyone with even a passing interest in books. For 2 or 3 Euros I recommend the available Audio guides for wandering and wondering in the Cathedral itself. Of course, you must visit the Campo, at a minimum have a Prospect or coffee while relaxing and people watching. In addition, use your hotel staff for information on where to eat or to learn about hidden views or local stories. Most people are justifiably proud of their city and district and the Siena see are no exception. As always in a land foreign to you learn a few words and phrases in the native language, your attempts at using them will be appreciated greatly. Have a great vacation, Bill.

I meant to say " Sienese" not Siena see, Auto spell beat me to it, Bill.

Everything Bill said!

In addition, don't miss the Museo dell'Opera, just off to the right as you're facing the entrance to the Duomo. Even if you're not big on museums, there's a passageway and some steps that lead to a magnificent view of the city.

If you do like museums, check http://www.aboutsiena.com/ and click the link for Museums (as well as other links to see what else Siena has to offer). It's a pretty unattractive web site, but it'll give you some good info.

Siena is a great city for just wandering, and it's a great base for exploring hill towns in the southern part of Tuscany: Montalcino, Pienza, Montepulciano, and others in that vicinity.

Enjoy!

Thank you ! I also watched the video from RS very informative.

I do love Siena. Get the combo ticket to climb the Torre Mangia and visit the city hall -- the mural of good and bad government from medieval times is fabulous (much damaged by the salt stored in the basement of the hall for decades, but still fabulous) If you are not able to climb the Torre then you can get another birds eye view of the town from the museum. On the third floor of the museum there is a passage onto the old unfinished wall of the Cathedral. With a little bit of climbing you can access excellent viewpoints for photos out over the top of the town (not as good as Torre Mangia, but still very good)
https://janettravels.wordpress.com/2011/09/18/climbing-the-torre-mangia-at-67/
The Cathedral is something wonderful; give yourself plenty of time there and also time for the Picolomini library and the baptistry which is around and underneath the Cathedral. WE have been lucky enough to be there when the floor was uncovered but even during other times of the year they have a couple of the inlaid pictures exposed for view.

The Campo is a wonderful place for a late night drink and not a bad place for lunch -- sure tourists and all but the food is okay and not more expensive than places nearby but off the Campo.

We loved walking through the streets of Contrada near the Campo. Each Contrada has a fountain and its totem symbol is often worked into walls and shops etc in the area. A wonderful walking town including the evening stroll around the edges of the Campo.

Check the dates but we did this in September at the Duomo. http://www.operaduomo.siena.it/eng/portadelcielo.htm

Near the Duomo is another church that was a medieval hospital, it is enormous and has interesting frescoes, chapels, meeting rooms, and an interesting self-guided tour (printed when I went, may be audio now).