43903NOR
Siena visit with TM. Visit of the Duomo
Florence free time and dinner. No entrances.
· Your timing can be flexible today, depending on the wishes of your group. Check your voucher for the time of dinner in Florence.
· You need a bus permit in Siena. Driver pays. THE FORTEZZA DROP OFF POINT IS NOT ACCESSIBLE ON SCHOOLDAYS FROM 12.15 TO 13.45. Drop off/pick up at Porta S. Marco instead.
· Florence bus regulations require a permit. Check the location of the check points on the map provided by the Rome office. The only authorized drop off points are at Via Giorgio La Pira, next to the Botanical Gardens (close to the Accademia) and on the Lungarno della Zecca (not very close to Santa Croce). This is the only authorized pick up point.
· You need cash for entrances to the Duomo in Siena
Montecatini – Siena (115 km) 2 hours 30 minutes
Siena – Florence (80 km) 1 hour 30 minutes
Florence – Montecatini 1 hour
09.00 Depart Montecatini. Take the A11 Firenze-Mare towards Florence. Continue on the A1 to Firenze Certosa and then take the Superstrada to Siena.
11.15 Arrive in Siena. The driver will first collect the permit and then drive up to the drop off point at the Fortezza. Make a rendezvous with him for departure. From here, walk the group around the Fortezza walls, through the gardens and across the road. Continue to the church of San Domenico,
where you will find (paying) toilets located down the stairs to the right of the church entrance (closed for works at the time of writing). Give the group a moment to pop inside to see the head of Saint Catherine and other relics. Continue via Via della Sapienza and Via delle Terme to Piazza del Campo, the site of the famous Palio (around 20 minutes) and make a rendezvous for departure here. The alternative drop off point at Porta S. Marco is on the other side of town, therefore you will first visit the Duomo and then the Campo.
Duomo – visit
Get the tickets from the ticket office at the far end of the piazza to the right of the Duomo as you face it. Take the group into the Duomo and make sure they don’t miss the Piccolomini Library (entrance on the left hand side). There are toilets in the souvenir shop on the left hand side. Meet after the visit and give them free time. Make sure they know their way back to the Campo as Siena can be confusing (Siena is well signposted).
THINGS TO DO
Torre del Mangia splendid view over the Campo (must pre book as there are limited timed slots)
Palazzo Pubblico houses the Museo Civico with an important collection of Sienese painters.
Opa Museum Sienese paintings and access to the unfinished façade of the Duomo.
Pinacoteca Nazionale Sienese paintings from the 12th to 17th centuries by major artists.
Medieval Streets via Bandini and the courtyard Corte del Castellare degli Ugurgieri, via della Galluzza with eight arches and medieval buildings.
Market every morning, food and vegetable stalls in the Piazza del Mercato behind the Campo.
Shops Best streets are Via di Città, Via Banchi di Sopra and Via Bianchi di Sotto.
Sanctuary and house of St Catherine may be of interest to Catholic groups. A turn off the via delle Terme.
14.30 Meet the group again at the Campo and walk back to the bus at the Fortezza. Return via the same route to Florence for free time and dinner. After dinner drive back to Montecatini.