Siena vs. Florence; maybe I made a mistake?

It's completely a matter of taste. Siena is very charming on its own and a great place to stay overnight. Do as you planned and take a day trip to Florence. If you like it, stay there next time!

Hi Susan and Monte,

I struggled with the same dilema you are faced with for my trip last year.. and after having actually done the trip, I think what it really comes down to is personal preference.. Everyone is different, and therefor everyone will give you a different answer. I know this probably isn't what you want to hear =)

Both are beautiful, but in different ways. And both have the best food I encountered on my trip! In Florence you of course have the big sites, the gelato, Piazza Michelangelo, San Lorenzo market, department stores for shopping... But in Siena you have the narrow steep streets that lead to il Campo, a more laid back feel, and very photogenic surroundings.

I ended up tacking an extra day onto my trip and doing 2 nights in each. I would just encourage you to think about what you really want to get out of your 3 nights-if you have any specific questions I'd be happy to try and answer them in a personal message, good luck!!

Thank you both for the encouragement! It will be interesting to see if we made the right choice for ourselves. It is so hard if you have never been somewhere to decide how you think you may like it. I feel ok about our decision...hope I'm right!!

Be careful not to fall for the "grass is always greener" syndrome when deciding where to go in Italy. No matter how many times you go to Italy, there will always be some wonderful place that you will never see. You can absolutely ruin your trip by wondering if you would be having a better time somewhere else. But live in the moment and enjoy where you are. Hey, you'll be in Italy! :-)

Susan and Monte,

I'm reminded of a quote by Muriel Rukeyser, author of The Life of Poetry. "I think there is choice possible to us at any moment, as long as we live. But there is no sacrifice. There is a choice, and the rest falls away. Second choice does not exist. Beware of those who talk about sacrifice."

You will have a beautiful time...Ciao...Tim...

I don't think you can make a mistake whichever way you go. Both towns are just lovely. Just relax and enjoy/

I'm doing the same thing this Sept, except I'm doing 4 nights in Siena with two day trips (one to Florence). One other difference though, I've been there before but my finance hasn't. She's not really into the whole artsy thing either so I figured one (long and exhausting) day trip to Florence would give her a taste of what it has to offer. If she likes it, we have an excuse to go back! It could be the same for you.

Enjoy Siena this time. Go to Florence on your next trip over. Like "Rick" says, "always plan for a trip like you will someday return". We are powering up for our third trip to Italy/fifth trip to Europe in eleven years this summer. Mind set should always be, "where you are right now is the place you want to be". Don't over itinerize. Italy is best digested in small bites! Have Fun!!

If you are not really into art and galleries etc.. then I don't know how long Florence would interest you. I have been to Florence , but not Siena.
Frankly I recall Florence as being ho hum ( yes I did get a nice leather belt there) , but other then the David,, I was not blown away,, Siena sound much more interesting to me too, so I do not think you have made a mistake at all.

Susan and Monte,
In travel, like wine, there is no universal palate. I find Siena very pleasant, but nothing to compare with Florence, my favorite city in the world. My sister and "gentleman friend" agree with RS. You are sure to have a great time discovering which you prefer.

Susan and Monte,
We also say, "We looove Siena". We spent 2 nights in Florence and 5 in Siena. We are not into galleries either. In my humble opinion, "art is best enjoyed in the setting for which it was created". The Duomo was exceptionally beautiful (special section of floors uncovered). Inside and outside the Duomo is a day well spent. We meandered all around the city, going inside various churches that are always open, hanging out in the Campo people watching...best memories and most relaxing time of our 17 days in Europe!

I visited both in 2005, and for my next trip (next week)have planned 3 nights in Florence, and 3 more days to drive around Tuscany including 2 nights spent in Siena. Both are equally charming for different reasons, and you will probably start planning your next trip across the pond as soon as you have to leave. You will have no regrets in the decision you made except that you cannot stay longer in both!

Well, I have been to Florence, and I can say that it is beautiful. Unfortunately, traffic prevented me from going to any museums but the first time you see the Arno river and the Ponte Vecchio, you will remember that moment forever. It is such a beautiful city it is almost overwhelming. However, because of the huge number of tourists, we have planned to spend a week in the countryside near siena, and I am really looking forward to it. I will say that I have never been anywhere in Italy that was not beautiful, with the exception of Naples(which can be a little trashy in places). Just live in the moment, and don't try to do everything or there will be nothing for you to do on your next trip. You'll have an incredible experience wherever you end up. Happy trip planning!!