Siena. Sept-Dec. Looking for advice/help.

Hello,

I'm going to be winding my way through the Tuscan hills for 3 months (whilst working unfortunately) and would appreciate any tips about the town/area in general, good rides, and also any heads up on a cheap apartment let in the town proper.

In the off chance anyone does indeed have any contacts-as far as a lodgings go I'm not too fussy, a studio or whatever with tolerable hygiene would be great, but neither am I looking for Abu Ghraib style digs either. 400 euros a month would be damn good, slightly more is possible.

grazie molte persone gentili di lfgss...

Taverne D'Arbia is a short wander from Siena, cheaper than within the walls. Quite a lot of students in Siena so the prices are high and usually twin rooms. But this info is over a deacde old.

Outside the walls there are some truly great places.

Staying outside is probably more logical in the longrun and some of the towns look pretty glorious... Inevitably my mind is more focused on stumbling home pissed and not getting waylaid in unlit country roads.

Been looking on Subito.it for ads and will stick one up there-maybe there will be some folks who are wanting to practice their english. Should also see if there's any local cycling clubs I can noise up....

Aren't that many bars in Siena.

Also go to Montalcino for the vendemia. It is brilliant, it is a real experience better if you are not alone tho.

Very jealous of your trip, a couple of years ago I rode through Tuscany and it was one of the most glorious parts of my European trip. Such beautiful scenery, fantastic roads, slightly less crazy driving than nearer the coast, and food to die for.

I travelled across the country and two of the most enjoyable roads I found have Siena in the middle! The SR222 from outside Florence to Siena and the SR438 from Siena travelling SW. The SR222 is a lovely hilly road, passing through the Chianti region, fantastic vineyards and lovely villages, quite a few coaches due to the proximity to the most tourist saturated cities in the world but once you are a few miles away it feels like a different more tranquil and real part of Tuscany.
Siena itself is a really great city to wander and I can't wait for the opportunity to go back.
The other route that sticks in my memory follows the SS438 which cuts through beautiful farmland and follows a ridge that climbs to give the most awesome views of vinyards and farms all around. The roads passes through Asciano, a perfect Tuscan village with really very good food, You can then wiggle your way to Sinalunga and climb up to the hilltop town of Montepulciano, (about 70km from Siena) drink fabulous wine then probably do the same route back as its so lovely!
Enjoy your time there UG!

Thanks very much for that Simon, great info to have and will be putting those routes down on a map for sure.

How did you find the Italian drivers? I've never cycled in Italy but have had the abject terror of driving around Sicily not two weeks after I passed my test. I've never seen a two lane road suddenly become an improvised 5 lane highway just because there's three cars and a couple of scooters all trying to overtake each other at the same time.

Hmm, Italian driving definitely keeps you on your toes, although I feel just as wary on British roads as I did on Italian roads. Into the countryside the traffic lessens a lot and my experience was generally pretty damn good apart from the off flying fiat! careful of some of the tourist coaches near Florence though!
Have an amazing time. when are you heading out there?

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How did you find the Italian drivers?[/QUOTE

I have very fond memories of cycling in the countryside around Siena in the early 1990's. Ascending a steep hill, I got the shock of my life when a passing truck sounded his horn. Being from London, I assumed he was homicidal, but after the same thing happened a few more times I realized it was a local form of encouragement. In Tuscany, they love cycling.

The best tip I can offer is to avoid the "white top" loose gravel lanes that criss-cross the countryside. They are very slow going, and the heat reflects off the stone. Not a good place to puncture, either. Tried that.

Warm weather, great food, strong coffee, and plenty of tifosi out on their bikes to share a ride. You'll have a great time.