I am planning our first trip to Italy. We will fly into Milan. Then train to the Cinque Terre for 3 nights - probably Monterossa al Mare. Then train to Lucca and on to Siena for 5 nights. Then to Venice for 4 nights. then back to Milan to depart. The trip will be first part of May. From Siena as a base, what would be the best and easiest day trips by bus or train? Our hotel contact said a trip to San Gimgnano would be easy to do.
Are the number of days at each location reasonable? I wonder if I have 1 day to many in Siena and Venice that would be better used visitying another town. Thank you for your comments.
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
"Our hotel contact said a trip to San Gimignano would be easy to do." The hotel contact is correct, you do it by bus Siena - SG (since SG is not served by rail). 5 nights in Siena is more than 90% of people here give Siena. No reason for you to do what everyone else does, I just thought it would be helpful as a benchmark. Florence is missing from your itinerary. Some do it as a day trip from Siena, usually by bus although there's also a rail connection. Tuscany "Hilltowns" are of course in the country and are most efficiently done by car, but since you won't have a car, consider van-type tours from Siena to see some Hilltowns. I suggest that because, for a first trip to Italy, it may too much to try to do the Tuscany hill towns by public bus (not impossible, but buses to visit the Tuscany hill towns eat up time and take planning. Be aware that public bus schedules are greatly curtailed on Sundays.
Posted by
Minneapolis
8 posts
I personally love the idea of Siena as a home base, I spent 4 months in Italy and it was my favorite city. With that said, if you are going to be in Tuscany you really need to see Florence- but Florence is more than just a days trip. If I were you, i would shave off 1 or 2 days from Venice (its amazing but i think it can be done in a shorter amount of time) and reallocate them to spending time in Florence.
Posted by
Ann Arbor, Mi
3696 posts
I agree that you should add Florence, at least for one night, you can get a quick overview and see a few sights. That is a lot of time for Venice and Sienna with so many other things to see. Lake Como is absolutely beautiful at that time of year... however, I always have a car in Italy, so don't know how that fits in with train travel. Bellagio was amazing. Also the small hill towns in Tuscany and the drive through the vineyards...maybe you could get a private driver if you don't want a car.
I have been there a number of times in May and the crowds were minimal and the weather was glorious. Venice highlights can be seen in a few days. As with all trips you can stay for a really long time and get to know a place, or you can see lots of places.
Posted by
buri, quebec, canada
13 posts
Sienna great place as home base. Bus to Florence & San Gimignano easy. Of course renting a car would be the best for visiting the hills of Tuscany. Route 222(Chianti wine route),Cortona,Montelpiciano etc. are all within an hours drive. My most memorable moment was visiting the famous Marcellera Ceccini (butcher) in Panzano in Chianti a must. Lucca interesting rampart enclosed town a few hours is enough. CT train very good. Also Rick's suggestion for Hotel Garden in Levanto is excellent as home base. In Venice we stayed in Mestre (just outside of Venice) Hotel Antico Moro bus outside the door & in 30 mns arrive in Venice. Inexpensive & good restaurant on premises.
Reserve day tours in advance from home,suggestion the Grande Canal tour is excellent not so for the walking tour. Lac Como we stayed in Bellagio if you want to relax this area is beautiful.
Posted by
OP
Woodbury, MN, USA
46 posts
Thank you for your comments. We are thinking of a day trip to Florence - possibly an overnight since we have to go thru Florence to Venice anyway. We also thought of doing a small group tour for an area that would be the most difficult to see by bus. Day trip by bus to: 1) San G w/ stop in either Colle di Val d'Elsa or Montieriggioni 2) Montalcino 3) Radda and Castellina 4) Gaiole 5) Florence
Seem possible when looking at bus schedules. Although, deciphering the bus schedules is not the easist. Would like to see Cortona and Arezzo, but maybe the next trip. Thanks for your suggestions.
Posted by
New York
317 posts
If feasible, a night in Florence is highly recommended. I will be basing in Siena in May and flying out of Milan. Was trying to figure out a way to stay in Florence the last night on way to Milan, but my flight is too early. I've done Florence before so its not the end of the world, and still may do a day there.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11780 posts
Lee: Check out Tours By Roberto http://toursbyroberto.com. He has options that might appeal to you for a guided daytrip. Only 8 people in his van so small and intimate. He will also customize to meet your needs and desires. We did a family-owned winery, small historical village you'd never find on your own (or on a bus), an Etruscan tombsite, and lunch in a "truckstop" the likes of which we certainly don't have in the US. You an do more wineries, more history as you like. Very flexible, knowledgable, personal. It will at least give you a break from the bus for one day! Oh, and he will do multi-day agendas too.
Buon viaggio!