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Rome, Siena, Florence

Hi--My RS tour ends in Rome on a Sunday morning. I plan to take a bus to Siena, stay there for two nights, and then travel to Florence on Tuesday afternoon for an early morning flight to the US on Wednesday. I have a few of questions:

  1. If I book a flight that departs at 6:30 a.m., will I have enough time to check in when the airport opens at 5 a.m.? The next flights are at 7 and 11 a.m.

  2. Favorite places to stay in Siena and Florence?

  3. Bus or train to Florence?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

Posted by
3391 posts
  1. If they scheduled a flight going out at 6:30 AM I can't imagine that you wouldn't be able to catch it if you get there right at 5. It's a pretty small airport.
  2. My favorite place to stay in Siena is the Hotel Alma Domus. It's run by an order of nuns and has jaw-dropping views across the city. Make sure to ask for a room with a view.
  3. Definitely train.
Posted by
23330 posts

Anita is correct. That obviously is a domestic flight so you will have plenty of time to check in at 5 till 5.30.

Posted by
1059 posts

Our RS Best of Italy stayed at the Hotel California in Florence. It was a great hotel with a great location. I would stay there again on future trips to Florence. In Siena, we stayed at the Hotel Chiusarelli. It was a short walk from the Campo. We had a room in the back of the hotel and it was very quiet. I understand rooms in the front of the hotel are a little noisier. I also would stay here again. There maybe be better hotels in Siena, but I can't say enough good things about the Hotel California in Florence. It was two blocks from the Duomo and two blocks from the Academia which is on the same street. They also do laundry, but it was not cheap.

Posted by
8097 posts

We have stayed in two hotels in Siena with great views of the countryside: Palazzo Ravizza and Athena. The former is a charming old Palazzo and the later, a more modern high rise. A high room with a view in the Athena has a spectacular view as do rooms on the back of the Palazzo. Both are an easy stroll to the Campo.

Posted by
658 posts

I took the bus from Florence to Sienna and back. I believe this was based on the recommendation by Rick in the guidebook. Very easy to do.

Posted by
1759 posts

I agree with Anita on the Alma Domus, but I disagree on transportation from Siena to Florence. The bus station in Siena is within walking distance of anywhere within the city walls. The train station is not. In Florence, the bus station is adjacent to the train station. I think it's easier to take the bus.

Posted by
5 posts

Thanks to each of you who replied. Great info! This will be my first trip to Italy and I can't wait!!