I will be traveling with my teenage daughter in a few weeks to this area and have not been able to decide which town/s would be good to stay in. We have 3 days in this area before we head to Rome and are traveling by train, so no car available. I was thinking that 1 in Siena and then 2 in Assisi or would somewhere more central like Cortona work better. I know that the train comes closer to some than others. I am looking for ease and a great locale. Please help.
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
Assisi was our best surprise during our recent trip to Northern Italy. For us, it was the most beautiful hill town we saw. It is out of the way. We wished we could have stayed overnight and spent more time there.
It's a 4.5hr. train journey from Siena. The train runs do go to Cortona and Perugia on the way to Assisi.
CLICK HERE to see what the train schedule looks like.
Posted by
SF Bay Area, CA
2030 posts
I stayed in Cortona last Sept. There is one train station at bottom of the hill at Camucia, and a larger one about 10 miles away that has more services and transportation available to get you up the hill, particularly late in the evening. However I took the bus from Cortona to the Camucia station and back, very easliy a couple of times. You do have to purchase your bus ticket ahead of time at the tourist info office in Cortona, but it's on the main street of the city, can't miss it. They sell train ticket also -- very convenient and helpful. So I'd recommend Cortona for sure.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32350 posts
Theresa,
Cortona is not as easily accessible by train as some of the other locations. You might consider Siena and Orvieto, especially with such a limited time frame. One day in Siena is a bit "limited", but two days in Orvieto would allow a day trip to one of Rick's favourite villages, Civita di Bagnoregio.
Where are you travelling from before Siena? If you're coming from Florence, you might consider using Bus rather than train, as it takes you right to the town centre (rather than the bottom of the hill, where the train station is).
If you decide on trying a visit to Orvieto, post another note and I'll provide some further information that might be of help.
Cheers!
Posted by
Virginia, USA
5848 posts
Theresa,
I stayed in Cortona last April. It was very easy to get to by train. It is on the train line between Florence and Rome. As others stated, take the train to Camucia and then the bus from the station up the hill to the town (about 20 minutes). I had a very pleasant stay at the B&B Le Gelosie (www.legelosie.com).
Posted by
Los Angeles, CA, USA
1449 posts
Theresa, I've stayed in both Cortona and Perugia. I'd recommend Perugia, it seems a little bigger to me and has a lovely main square and long plaza. Both towns are accessible by train; take a bus from the station to the top. Perugia is also closer to Assisi than Cortona.
Posted by
Wichita
831 posts
Theresa,
The bus from Siena to Assisi is easier http://www.sena.it/
If you are coming to Siena from Florence the bus is better http://www.sitabus.it/sita-toscana/Firenze-Siena07.pdf