My husband and I will be driving from Rome to Siena in early May. Would anyone be able to comment on the best route, via the coast or inland? We normally choose a slower route on back roads to see the landscape and get a feel for the country. Also, a good restaurant en route to stop for lunch? Thank you!
Posted by
Saint Paul, Minnesota
1605 posts
These would NOT be quick lunch stops, but if you take a route that goes through Umbria, here were our three favorite places to eat lunch last November. Pretty sure you'd need reservations in early May. I hope somebody else can recommend scenic routes --- we tend to prefer walking around in medieval towns to seeing countryside from the car, and so we often take the fastest way between towns instead of a scenic route.
Osteria La Pecora Nera in San Gemini (much, much easier to park and walk to than the other two)
Terra & Arte in Narni (a deli with a tiny restaurant)
Labirinto Di Adriano in Orvieto (there are several really good restaurants in Orvieto, but this was our favorite during our 4 night stay)
Posted by
Netherlands by way of UK, EST, GR, USA, JO, Africa and Central America.
60 posts
Michelin maps are one of the very few that indicate scenic roads (highlighted in green). Their website is viamichelin.com and they have a free app Viamichelin. Included are all their restaurant and hotel ratings (as well as their cultural Green Guide on the website version).
The SS2 road just south of Siena is particularly scenic at the moment with wild flowers in the fields over rolling hills.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16168 posts
The fastest route is via A1 toll freeway north toward FIRENZE (Florence) then exit at the VALDICHIANA exit (near the town of Bettolle) to take the free freeway SS715 to Siena ( less than 3 hours drive).
More scenic routes are numerous and depend on your willingness to greatly extend your journey by taking detours.
The original road to Siena before freeways existed, the SR2 (Via Cassia) or the SS3 (Via Flaminia) then the SR2 are two options. The driving time is well in excess of 4 hours, to which you need to add any stop you intend to make.