Rome-Siena-Florence-Venice input

Lucky you! What a fabulous vacation! It has been going on three summers since our trip mostly without a car that included your same destinations, although with the order reversed and beginning in Venice- Rome.
We took the train from Rome to Chiusi, which was as far as it went (the transfer point to a local train). The bus station was right out front (for Siena). It's a TINY train/bus station!!! Some people ended up taking the bus to Siena since the train we planned to take was cancelled and another not arriving for 4 hours. (We didn't take the bus since that's where we ended up getting a rental car.) You might check the difference in time with using the train from Rome to Chiusi, then getting the bus- with such a short time in Siena even saving a couple hours will help.

If I remember correctly there is a reason (I think location) that the bus is preferable to the train between Florence and Siena. It's not that far.

Sue,
Rome to Siena will take about 3 hours by bus or train. The bus has the advantage of dropping you at the top of the town. The train station is about 2km from the center of Siena but there is frequent buses to town.

Siena to Florence is best by bus. If you saw mixed reviews it must be from people who don't know the system. The bus leaves from town and is faster than the train since the trains all go through Empoli. The bus and train stations are next to each other in Florence.

The Cannon d'Oro is in a great location inside the walls, and close to where the buses arrive and depart.

Thanks so much guys for all the input. I know karen, i am so excited about going. I have never been to Europe so this is really exciting for me. I am doing so much research but in the end, part of the fun is getting lost and finding your way. So I guess I have it right... bus from Rome to Siena mostly because it drops you right in town. Bus from Siena to Florence and then train from Florence to Venice. Good deal!

We are thinking about taking a 6 hour wine tour from Siena. Either the Chianti Grand Tour or the Brunello Grand Tour by Cor Magis Travel. Anyone hear of them? Been emailing them for a price but they haven't gotten back to me. We are trying to travel on a bit of a budget especially when it comes to hotels since we won't be spending much time in them. Nonetheless I want a clean, safe place. So any recommendations would be great.

I found this place in Rome called Hotel Panda that seems really reasonable. Anyone ever stay there?

Any recommendations for anything would be greatly appreciated. Just want to fill my brain with as much as possible before we go!

As already mentioned taking the bus from Siena to Florence IS your best option as it drops you off within Siena's city walls. It's the SITA bus, and is just outside the main train station in Florence.

I've never stayed in Siena, so am not familiar w/ hotels that you've mentioned. Again, would suggest for convenience that you opt for accommadations within city walls (if that's where those places are located).

If you haven't found this website, then Trip Advisor is a good site to gather more info on hotels. With regards to Hotel Panda (in Rome), it gets positive comments >>> http://rome-hotels.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g187791-d298628-Reviews-Hotel_Panda-Rome_Lazio.html
I've also seen good feedback about Hotel Panda on the Fodor's travel forum --- www.fodors.com (click on 'talk').

One last suggestion ...... another very good website for info on Italy is "Slow Travel" (not necessary to move at that pace!).

http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/index.asp

Buon Viaggio!

I agree that bus is the way to go between Siena and Florence. It's fast, and the buses run frequently.

Since you're spending only one day in Siena, I'm not sure I'd recommend a 6-hour wine tour. That'll leave very little time left to actually enjoy (or even experience) Siena. On the other hand, the tour will probably take you into the Tuscan countryside, which is worthwhile as well.

Sue,

One question to begin with - does your one-week Itinerary include your travel day to Rome? You'll normally arrive in Europe the day after you depart home (although this depends to some extent on which flight you choose).

With such a short trip, I might consider travel from Roma Termini to Siena via train. The shortest travel time I found was 3H 05M with one change in Chiusi-Chianciano Terme (reservations required). While it's nice to be dropped right in the center of town by the Bus, this way might be a bit faster (and it's not really too expensive to take a Taxi up to town). Given that your one day in Siena will probably include travel time, I'm not sure you'll be able to take a 6-hour wine tour; that would be better on a future trip when you can stay longer.

However, on the trip from Siena to Florence the Bus is a good idea. The Bus station in Florence is almost right beside Firenze SMN rail station, so it's shouldn't be too hard to get to your Hotel (have you chosen a Hotel in Florence yet?).

On the trip from Florence to Venice, using one of the "fast" trains such as the EuroStar Italia to Venezia Santa Lucia would be a good idea. There are a number of departures on that route every day (Time 2H 40M, reservations compulsory, no changes).

Good luck with your planning!

Thanks for all the input guys... it's greatly appreciated.

We will be arriving in Rome early in the morning Sunday (overnight flight) and will have Sunday and Monday in Rome. Tuesday morning we will travel to Siena. I am absolutely dying to do the wine tour to the Tuscan countryside. That's actually one of the main things I am looking forward to so I suppose I am willing to give up my sightseeing in Siena for that. The tour doesn't leave till 2pm so I am hoping to catch a really really early bus (if possible - we can nap on the bus) to Siena from Rome and spend the morning sightseeing in Siena. I realize we are jamming alot into one trip but when in Rome... and not sure when I will get back to visit again. I suppose I can extend my stay in Siena to 2 nights and only do 1 day in Florence. Ahhhhh decisions decisions.

Yes we have book our Florence hotel which is right near the Duomo. Still questioning my choice of hotel there but thankfully its only for 2 nights. For some reason Florence really isn't at the top of my list among the places we are visiting. LOL now i am wondering if I should extend our stay in Siena to 2 nights and Florence to 1 night.

We are going to need a vacation after our vacation!!!

Sue,
If you are on a budget you might want to look at Alma Domus in Siena. It is no frills but safe and clean.

Ken,
As mentioned earlier in the thread the bus from Rome to Siena only takes 3:05. See http://www.sena.it/

We'll be in Siena this June and will take the bus to Florence as a day trip Will be staying at the Hotel Albergo Bernini. http://www.albergobernini.com/ They are very helpful with arrangements/info -- especially Carlotta!

Very nice and reasonable and close to the city center/transportation.

Regards.