How convenient is it to use Sienna as a home base and take separate day trips to Florence and Venice. I recognize that Florence would not be difficult but am concerned about Vencie. We were orginally going to use Florence as home base and do a one trip to Vencie. Although we like to see Sienna we were going to for go this trip in place of Cinque Terre but if we can get to Venice for i day from Sienna it may be a good option. We would appreciate your thoughs. Thank you.
Posted by
Dunwoody, Georgia
338 posts
I used Siena as a base for travel around Italy during a visit several years ago. I highly recommend it. It is a great city to visit and experience. During my trip we did go to Florence for a day trip. It was an easy and direct trip - maybe 1 to 1.5 hours of total travel time each way. However, Venice in my opinion is not doable as a day trip. It'll probably be a half a day (maybe four hours) each way to drive or take a train. That will not leave you much time to sightsee. There are plenty of other interesting and less taxing day trips available from Siena. Pick any one of a number of hill towns and you can probably get there by bus or car in an hour or so.
Have fun!
Posted by
Seattle, Wa, USA
663 posts
Siena is just too out of the way to easily get to Venice and back, although it is perfect for exploring Tuscany. So without knowing any details of your trip (length, other destinations you plan to visit), here is what I would suggest. Stay in Siena for some time, do your "day trip" to Florence and leave your luggage at the bag check at the train station. Go to Venice that evening and stay a couple nights. Venice is such an amazing place, and certainly more charming in the early mornings and late evenings when the day trippers are gone and you have the place almost to yourself. On my first trip there I stayed 2 nights. I'll be going to Italy again this October and this time I am staying in Venice 3 nights.
Posted by
53 posts
Siena is THE perfect place for a central location especially with a car. If you've not been to Italy before, you really need help with eliminating as many hassles and time-wasters as possible to maximize your Euros - Italy is so different from the rest of Europe! Venice is a definite no from Siena. First of all, I highly recommend Rick's "Pocket" and "Snapshot" books, i e, "Florence" and "Central Italy Hill Towns". They act as your PERSONAL GUIDE to the major "masterpiece" sights as well as a "memory journal" of your trip. These books eliminate a huge percentage of the hassles that you will see other tourists experiencing: standing in long lines, searching for the masterpieces inside the sights, looking for restrooms, eating at the "locals" eateries, doing "town walks" in historical quaint neighborhoods, the best places for parking, and lots of other practical stuff in small books you carry in your pocket.
You and do "loop" trips by car (and sometimes by bus) such as San Gimignano to Volterra (stay into the evening here), Asciano to Pienza ( via the Crete Senese) to Montepulciano and a long day might be Orvieto (via A-1) to Bagnoregio to Montalcino (via Val D'Orcia). I would recommend Florence via a bus day trip and blitz the Accademia, Uffizi, and Campanile (bell tower). We were in Florence for a week and still didn't see everything! Walking around town in evening is divine. Note: Siena at night is just as divine! You can easily take trains to Venice (stay 1 nite) and Rome (at least 2 nites). My wife and I love Italy, especially Tuscany. Being retired, next year we will be staying at an Agriturismo south of Siena for three months. It's incredible how cheap rates can be monthly even in high season. Have a great time!