23906ITA
Sightseeing with TM including entrance to the Duomo
· Tickets provided through Effetto IF the Duomo is included.
· It is a 20-30 minute walk from the coach drop off (Fortezza) to the centre of Siena. Be sure that your group is aware of this and make alternative arrangements for any non-walkers.
· Approaching Siena, you might need to stop at the check point for the driver to pick up a permit before continuing to the drop off point by the walls of the Fortezza.
· Remember that you are not allowed to guide in Siena, do all your commentary beforehand on the bus.
· Allow 2 ½ – 3 hours for the visit, including lunch
Driving times:
From Florence 1 hr 15 mins (75km)
From Pisa 2 hrs 10 mins (162 km)
From San Gimignano 1 hour (55km)
From Lucca 2 hrs (142km)
Drop off at the Fortezza and make a rendezvous for departure with the driver. He cannot wait for you so be realistic in your timing, taking the group’s pace into account. Depending on time of year and day, you might meet the coach back at the same drop off point (Fortezza) or another pickup point. Check with your driver.
Walk the group around the fortress, through the gardens and across the road. Continue to the church of S Domenico (see map). There are toilets (paying) located down the stairs to the right of the church entrance (at the time of writing they are closed for works). 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.
Make a rendezvous here for final departure, and point out lunch places and toilets (in the side street leading out of the far right hand corner of the square) and continue to the Duomo up the via dei Pellegrini, (see map) and following the signs (if entrance included. If not group can visit the Duomo in free time). Whilst the group admires the façade you go to buy tickets from the booth to the right of the cathedral. Distribute tickets and check that everyone knows how to get back to the Campo and the time of departure. 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 inside the church down some steps on the left.
Meet the group in the Piazza del Campo and lead the group back to the bus.