Itinerary Rome & Sienna

Posted by marycay4 on 02/21/24 08:57 PM

Hello-

We have a weeklong trip to Italy in May - four 20-somethings and two adults. We're hearty travelers and none of us have been to Italy so we're eager to see as much as possible while we're there. We'll have one jetlag arrival day and six site-seeing days. I'm trying to decide how many days to spend in each city. We are staying in Airbnbs in both cities and we'll be staying in Rome 1st. We plan to rent a car to drive to Sienna so that we can visit the surrounding area and drive back to Rome early morning on departure day.

Any thoughts about how to divide our time between these two cities?

Posted by ChristineH

Gettysburg PA

02/21/24 09:30 PM

7231 posts

Driving back to Rome on flight departure morning is very risky.
I’d go to Siena first and end in Rome

Actually with just 6 days I’d stay in Rome the whole time, take a day trip by train to Orvieto

A car that fits 6 adults plus your baggage might be problematic
You’ll need a van or 2 small cars

Posted by marycay4 OP

02/22/24 01:43 AM

11 posts

Didn't think about that. Any thoughts about number of days in each location?

Posted by Marty

Rockville, MD, USA

02/22/24 02:28 AM

654 posts

How you divide your time depends on what you want to see. If I were taking a trip by myself, I'd read the guidebooks, make a list of what I wanted to see and how long it takes to see it, and then start cutting sights to fit it into six days. It's a lot harder when you have six people. Maybe ask everyone to bring three suggested activities in either Rome or Sienna to a meeting? Try to slot in at least one idea from each person. That should give you some idea about how enthusiastic the group is about each location and how to divide your time.

Posted by ChristineH

Gettysburg PA

02/22/24 03:35 AM

7231 posts

Any thoughts about number of days in each location?

How many NIGHTS do you actually have on the ground in Italy?
It sounds like you have not booked accommodations yet?

As I said above I'd stay in Rome the entire time and take a day trip, maybe 2.
In general Rome needs a minimum of 4 nights- and that hardly scratches the surface.

Siena as an overnight- I'd give it 2 or 3- depends when you go to Siena.

If you go there on arrival to Italy- I would take the train to Siena (or I believe the Flix bus from FCO is a better choice for this transfer ) and spend 3 nights. That gives you 2.5 days in Siena- first day mostly gone and jet lagged. I would then do a bus/guided/private tour to some Tuscany villages- otherwise you're looking at renting 2 cars, 2 designated drivers, etc.
Siena itself can be seen in a day.

Then train or bus back to Rome for your final 4 nights?

Take a look at what Roberto might have for you
www.toursbyroberto.com