Hi
We will be in Siena for 2 days and 3 nights and we have a car. We'd like to drive to villages that are scenic and close by. Also we'd like to go to Terme Antica Querciolaia in San Giovanni Rapolano around 5 pm in one of those days.
We'll arrive in the evening so we'll see Siena at night.I'm thinking to visit Siena city center in first day and then go to Rapolano for thermal bath in the afternoon.
Leaving the second day to visit Siena surroundings and more villages or scenery.
Any suggestions for where to go?
Thanks
Posted by
11685 posts
Drive the historic Chiantigiana, Rt.222 with it's pretty villages. It connects Siena and Florence.
Posted by
Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico
1953 posts
You don't say where you're arriving from or departing to. If you are going to Florence also, you could take Suki's suggestion en route between Florence and Siena (either direction).
My suggestion for your second day is to head south. There are many worthwhile stops: Montalcino, Pienza, the Abbazia di Sant'Antimo, Montepulciano, and Bagno Vignoni are all fine places to spend some time, and the scenery is gorgeous.
Posted by
278 posts
We just did this in May. We stayed in Siena right next to the Siena Cathedral. The Cathedral is so special. We rented a car and our day trips were to Pienza and Montelpulciano, they are beautiful charming towns. We found a fantastic cheese shop and brought back some cheese and truffle oil. On the way, there is the tiny chapel on a small hillside made famous in so many post cards and photos. It sits right off the roadway, we just pulled off and took incredible pictures. This was the first week of May so the hills were green and yellow flowers blooming everywhere. We saw Siena at night and day tripped the rest of the time except the day we went to the cathedral. We also went to Volterra and later to San Galgano. Volterra didn't do it for me. Pienza did.
I can't say anything about 222 as I haven't done it. we also loved Anghiari and Arezzo. But hands down Pienza and Montepulciano for an all day drive, that we loved.
Word about driving: we followed the signs and drove accordingly. But in one traffic circle there was a traffic stop and we were flagged over by the Italian police officer,n we drove through it twice as we got lost. His partner had a machine gun. He was really professional, he asked for hubby's international driving permit and state license. He called it in and came back a couple minutes later with a smile said good- by. No tickets then or yet, as I said we watched and followed every sign. This was just an odd traffic stop on the side of the road in a traffic circle.