- 54,000 Steps and Exhausted
- A Fumble and Some Spikes in Corniglia
- Hot Hike: Corniglia to Vernazza
- The Cinque Bust
- A Tour of the Castle
- An Unforgettable Umbrian Pizza Party
- Siena v. Florence: The Rivalry Continues
- Mi Piace Formaggio di Capra
- Yummy for my Tummy: Pizza and Gelato
- Hill Town Trekking, Part 1
- Hill Town Trekking, Part 2
- Three Days at Sea, and Almost No Sleep
- Just Call Me Skipper
- A Day in the Ruins
- Cooking in Italy
One Day in Each: Which City Wins?
When we arrived at our castle in Tuscany- Castello Montalto – we had been on the go, seeing sights for 12 days and stayed in 5 different locations. We decided we needed to take the first full day to rest and recharge (and enjoy the tower that we had captured – er rented). That left just 1 day for Sienna and 1 day for Florence.
Florence and Siena have a history of being fierce rivals in medieval times. So in that spirit of competition, Florence and Sienna duke it out in categories for best city to visit.
Safety/Comfort Traveling with Children
- Siena had a small town feel, easy rhythm to the streets and not too crowded. I felt comfortable letting the kids go ahead of us, stop to shop and to have some independence. You could stroll in the streets and look around at the charm of the city and lose yourself imagining what life was like hundreds to thousands of years ago.
- We stepped off the train in Florence and were immediately overwhelmed with the crowds, the traffic and the bustle of the city. I can imagine if I were there on my own or with just Poobah, it would be energizing and exciting. But on that day, I just ended up gripping Steve’s hand and not letting go until we got to the Duomo. Add in the multiple warnings about pickpockets and the military presence everywhere (Nice attack had happened the day before) – I never really let my guard down.
Winner: Siena
Old Town Square
- Siena’s Il Campo is the stuff that Italy dreams are made of. Beautiful buildings that are well preserved, people stretched out like they are at a beach in the center of the square, and a social/inviting atmosphere. I can see why Rick Steves calls it the “Best Square in Italy”!
- Florence had several squares but don’t stand out to me as much. I did enjoy the Piazza della Signoria with the statues in Loggia dei Lanzi (and even a smaller version of Michelangelo’s David), Palazzo Vecchio and lively atmosphere.
Winner: Siena
Tourist spots – Quantity
- Siena has great sights to see – Il Campo, Duomo, Duomo Museum – are all beautiful and wonderful to experience. We did these 3 and had lunch in Il Campo plus wandered the streets (and of course gelato at the end) and this seemed to be a perfect day.
- Florence has TONS of museums, is a powerhouse for art lovers. I could fill a whole page on what to do and see. For example: Accademia, Uffizi Gallery, Bargello, Duomo, Ponte Vecchio. You really need 2 – 3 days to experience everything.
Winner: Florence (although that doesn’t necessarily = a good thing – keep reading)
Lines, people, crowds
- Siena had tourists but the lines for tickets to the Doumo were short (15 minutes), to the top of the Duomo museum for sweeping views (20 minutes) and it never felt tight or crowded.
- For Florence, we had read that a reservation is preferable at the big attractions (Duomo and Uffizi gallery) but in true HOGI (House of Good Intentions) fashion – we had not planned ahead. The lines for the big sights were 2 hours +. The Ponte Vecchio was packed with people. That did not work with the kids. So – we came up with some alternate attractions that ended up being fantastic (see below)
Winner: Siena
Children’s activities
- We had a lot of fun in Siena but there was nothing that we found specifically for kids. We did climb up steps at the Panorama dal Facciatone at the Duomo museum and Steve ran around in Il Camp – this kept them happy, engaged and entertained.
- However, the kids are still raving about the fun time they had in Florence. The Museo dei Ragazzi (the Children’s museum in Palazzo Vecchio) had a special tour for kids that was excellent. The guide told them about the history in an easy to follow way, pointed out the symbol of Duke Cosimo (the turtle) challenging them to find it in various rooms and paintings throughout the castle and led them through a secret passageway in the map room that ended in dress up of period clothes. Even the adults liked it! We also went to Boboli gardens which were fun for Steve to run around and Potter to navigate through.
Winner: Florence
Sweeping Views of the city
In both Siena and Florence, we climbed LOTS of stairs to discover beautiful views. In each place we chose an alternate to the most popular (think shorter lines and a few less steps!). In Siena we went to the Duomo museum – Panorama dal Facciatone – about 140 steps on very narrow circular staircase. In Florence, we bypassed the Duomo and went to Campanile (Glotto’s Tower) and climbed 414 steps to the top.
None the less, both were take your breath away views that you want to see forever.
Winner: Tie!
Castle Loyalty
One of the special featured castle events is the owner (an old woman from California who moved to Italy and bought Montalto with her Italian husband 50+ years ago) invites guests on Wednesday night into her private residence to tell the history of the castle. She was so entertaining and informative. Montalto has always had loyalty to Siena. In fact, it was the last castle before the area where Florence loyalty started. We could see the Florence castle on the next hill over – talk about scary neighbors! In the 1200s, there was a battle between Siena and Florence that took place in that valley right in between the 2 castles! Florence won and to celebrate, they stormed and pillaged Montalto. This was one of several times that the castle was under attack or fell into enemy hands (the last was World War 2 when the Germans took it over for 6 weeks before the war ended).
Winner: Siena (how could we not be loyal to our adopted home?)
Finally – Trippin With Kids votes:
- Grand Poobah: Siena (by just a bit for this trip with a family). But this was a tough one for him. Fond memories of Florence as a 20 year old going on his first travel through Europe.
- Sherpa Mamma: Siena A bunch of my friends said that Florence is their favorite city. I suspect that I would be more on this side if I had several nights and just me and the hubby to experience it. With a family, Sienna felt magical, beautiful yet contained and super safe with the right pace.
- Potter: Siena. ”I love Siena because it felt more like a home to me. The streets were charming the places we visited were amazing. Though not as popular as Florence, I feel like Siena holds a place in my heart like Florence never could.”
- Cupcake: Florence“I loved the museum where we got to dress up and go into the secret passage!”
- Steve: Siena “Because I root for Siena.” (loyalty to our adopted home)
CONGRATULATIONS SIENA! You may have lost to Florence over the course of history but you have won the hearts of Trippin’ with Kids!
Mary is our Sherpa Momma, carrying water bottles, sunscreen, snacks, tissues and more in her backpack. But, thankfully, no diapers. She's really just looking forward to having a rest. When she's' not tired, she's an aspiring coffeehouse singer / guitarist.
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You are an inspiration!!! Can’t wait to see you in August and hear even more 😉