We are planning a trip to "The Boot" in Sept. 08. We would like to have a home base from which to do day trips by train or bus, and have chosen Siena or Lucca. Which of these would be the easiest for day tripping by local transportation? Thanks in advance for your help!
Posted by
Scottsdale, AZ, USA
1127 posts
Lucca is my favorite Tuscan city but Siena makes a better base. Siena has more connections for day tripping.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
FWIW, the problem with using Siena as a base is that the train station is nowhere near the historic center. You'll have to take a bus or taxi to the train station. The train station in Lucca is closer to the historic center.
Posted by
WPB, FL & Firenze
3112 posts
Sharon - Any thoughts on places where you may want to day trip? Some places are easier from Siena and some are easier from Lucca. Florence would be easy from either.
Posted by
Nashville, TN, USA
53 posts
Siena, it's an easy base camp and you can rent a car and drive around the hill towns from there.
Posted by
OP
Vashon, WA, USA
3 posts
Frank we will have been to Rome and will travel north to Siena or Lucca. From Sienna or Lucca we want to visit Florence (maybe two separate days), see Siena and Lucca, Pisa and Cinque Terre. Thanks
Posted by
OP
Vashon, WA, USA
3 posts
A big thank you to all of you for your comments! It is a very generous and lovely gesture to take the time to share your experiences with others! Sharon
Posted by
XXX
1170 posts
Staying in Siena is a better idea than Florence?
Posted by
Olivebridge, NY, USA
34 posts
You could easily make your way north to Cinque Terre from Rome by rail. Stay in Siena. Take buses to nearby hilltowns. Train to Florence(you may want to overnight here, as there is so very much to see)Early morn, train to Pisa. Take short train to Lucca;come back to Pisa.(Store luggage at train station, if not overnighting) Train to Cinque Terre.I hope you are flying open jaw.
Posted by
aberdeen, WA
16 posts
Siena was wonderful! We used the bus the Florence. Also had wonderful nights SIENA
Posted by
Daytona Beach, FL
10 posts
Sharon,
I love both Siena and Lucca, but I would stay in Florence. There is so much to see and do there and, more importantly, they have the best gelato in all of the universe!