A Day in Siena

I'll never forget trying to find a map when we arrived. We had no idea which way to go from the bus station, but we soon learned to look for the Duomo signs. Our meal at the Osteria Le Logge Due, right off of the Piazza del Campo, was delicious and romantic. We were surprised to see teenagers kicking a ball around in the fan-shaped square in the rain. We enjoyed talking to a Californian who told us that the best way to experience this city was just to "walk."

The Duomo is one of Italy's oldest, and it really was impressive. We got a kick out of looking at all of the little animals and beasts that peek from the spires on the facade. It was pleasant (though cold) meandering inside the Duomo together. We even joined a random group of people and listened to their tour guide for a while.

Quick Tips:

Have a map with you when you arrive, and you'll have more time for the city. I'm sure that most people will tell you that a day isn't enough in Siena, but if you have seen Venice and Florence already, a day works perfectly.

Best Way To Get Around:

Taking the rapido bus from Florence will bring you into the city limits. From what I hear, taking the train will land you at the bottom of the hill outside the city. Walking to sights is bearable, but watch out if your legs are already sore from previous travels.

Average Overall Rating: 9.1

We were seated with another small group of people at a large table in a room with wine on the walls, tulips on the tables, and the Beatles playing the background. The food here was phenomenal, especially the hand-rolled pasta with fresh tomato and shrimp. For an appetizer, try the terrina, which is a cold egg molded custard with veggies and cheese. It sounds a bit strange, but it was delicious! The white chocolate mousse with chocolate syrup for dessert was very nice, but I wished they had not put that passion fruit sauce over the top. I’m one of those people who doesn’t like to mix chocolate with fruit, but I thought I’d try it. Oh, and the house white wine here was amazing.

This was one of our top three restaurants in Florence, Venice, and Siena. It’s right behind the Palazzo Publico on the famous Piazza del Campo, and it’s very easy to find. Definitely try it! Oh, and it was full for lunch, but it wasn’t full of tourists, just a few others.

Osteria Le Logge Ratings (Scale of 1-10, ten is "divine", one is "despicable")
Average: Food 8.8, Atmosphere 9.5, Service 9
Jason: Food 9, Atmosphere: 10, Service: 9
Mary: Food 8.5, Atmosphere 9, Service 9

Average Rating: 8.5, Estimated Time to allot: 1 hour. Cost: Free – pay $1 to see the library

The high ratings say a lot about this Duomo, because when we were there, about a fourth of the interior was under scaffolding. And it was a gloomy day, so it was rather dark inside. The paintings here are impressive (though dark). You can be a true tourist and pay a machine to light different areas of the church for you. The ornately carved pulpit is especially interesting, with marble lions supporting its base. The green striped steeple and columns give this basilica a different feel than many others that we saw. The library is a small room, but it has amazing paintings that are very well preserved with rich colors along the walls. There’s a neat story to go with them too. The exterior of this basilica is one of my all-time favorites, with all types of creatures and characters carved into the stone.

Ratings 1-10 (10 is "see this no matter what!" and 0 is "avoid it!")
Jason: 9 Mary 8

Average Rating 6.5

There was a lot of restoration being done when we were here. And many of the works that were not in restoration sure need to be. It’s obvious that Siena doesn’t have the same monetary power as Florence or Venice, because many of the prettiest works here haven’t been restored, whereas practically everything in Florence and Venice is sparkling perfect. But there were some beautiful decorations here –frescoes, an ornate wood choir in the chapel, a deep red carved ceiling in one of the rooms.

Ratings 1-10 (10 is "see this no matter what!" and 0 is "avoid it!")
Jason: 6 Mary 7

Daytrip Details: Overall Rating 8, Time to allot: 5-7 hours, depending on weather and willingness to walk the hills

Jason and I discussed the pros and cons of spending a day in Siena. Basically, if you have four days or less to experience Florence, I wouldn't suggest using a precious day for Siena. Florence can fill four days easily. Plus, Florence has a greater selection of activities and restaurants. If you have more than four days in Florence, Siena makes for a nice change of pace. There is less city noise, but there are just as many tourists. Siena has the feel of a town in its city center, and the architecture is in general prettier.

We agreed that Siena seemed like a smaller version of Florence. You could still hear cards and bike bells, but the city center was less crowded. As one experienced tourist told us, the best way to experience Siena is to walk. But if we had had a choice between spending another day walking Venice or having one day in Siena, Venice would have won in a heartbeat.

In conclusion, Florence fills four full days easily. After that, head to Venice. You will see countryside and hills along the way. If you can't head to Venice, or if you have time to kill in Florence, try Siena.