Siena, Italy

GETTING HERE:

• If you are exploring Tuscany, do yourself the favor and rent a car.
• Public transport - take a train from Florence to Siena. The station is a 20 minute walk at the bottom of the hill from the gates of town. You can also take the SITA bus from the train station or hop in a taxi (Radio Taxi 0 0577 49222).

HOTELS:

• Garden Hotel: while on the outskirts of town, the views can make up for it. The views even in the winter were pretty, but during Spring through Fall the grounds of this facility are likely great. The furniture throughout the hotel could use some upgrading. The back deck looks great on a warm sunny day. Great views of Siena's skyline from here. About a 20 minute walk into the gates of town.
• Borgo Grondaie: we booked this after researching Tuscany and Siena. If you are looking for a country resort this is not it. You'll have to walk through a Coop supermarket loading doc to get anywhere. It also sits less then a km from the train line, which some apartments overlook. Their website was misleading. If you have a car and are looking for a base in Tuscany to check out other towns/day trips this may not be a bad spot (its cheap). If you are looking for a true Tuscan country experience look elsewhere.
• Hotel Jolly - located within town and probably the largest hotel. 5 minute walk from Piazza del Campo
• Alma Domus – V. Camporegio, 37, Ph 0577. 44. 177 Allegedely great views of the Duomo and the rooms were very clean. Run by a group of nuns and there is an 11:30pm curfew. They also don’t take Visa/MC - close to the bus stop and easy to get to the rest of town.

RESTAURANTS:

• Al Marsili – address Via del Castoro 3, Ph: 0577. 47. 154 - order wild boar and a Chianti called Caramaggio
• Osteria le Logge – address Via del Porrione 33, Ph: 0577. 48. 013 recommended as “Sienna’s prettiest restaurant”.
• Il Salotto - Via Camollia - great cheap spot for local food.

ATTRACTIONS:

• Piazza del Campo - camp out at a cafe and have some over priced wine or coffee. Some of the best people watching in Italy.
• Baptistry/Duomo - if you have the time, go early and buy the combo ticket $10Euros. You can see the Crypt and Opera exhibit next door. All are worth it. Make sure to go in the library room off of the Duomo.
• Il Palio - famous horse race held in July and August. Race takes place in the Piazza del Campo

SHOPPING

• Artigianato Babel di Silvana Doganieri - cool local crafts - Via Dei Fusari
• There are some outlets in the region - Pratesi Shoe outlet - don't know much about it, but there are good deals outside of Florence.