11983 boggiponsi vs.florence lodging

I'm new too, I have never been to Florence but I use this site quite often when I am planning trips.

[URL="http://www.sawdays.co.uk/search/listing.php?where=florence&submit=GO"]Alastair Sawday's Special Places To Stay - Search[/URL]

They also list eco friendly places to stay, which may or may not be of interest to you. The map function is very useful. :smile:

I used to live in the area, but I'm a bit out of touch with bus services. I do remember though that from Siena we had to change at Poggibonsi for S. Gimignano, so Poggibonsi is prob better for you. You can however get a direct bus/train to Milan from Florence or Siena - not sure about Poggibonsi.

Please, please don't think I'm being rude but I love the typo, BOGgiponsi as this is the one town in Tuscany that does absolutely nothing for me. It's a sprawly place with a lot of light industry (much, though not all of it, wine industry related such as glass bottle factories). That said, it's very conveniently positioned for visiting San Gim, it can't be more than 20 mins away on the bus as opposed to heaven knows how long from Firenze. Staying in Siena would be better but, again, I think you'd have to change buses somewhere such as Poggi or Colle val d'Elsa.

Hi Kathleen

We live about an hour and a half away from Poggibonsi and it has never been on our 'must see' list. We visited the town once and were not impressed. Our only reason to visit the area was for the wonderful reclamation yard (old stuff from houses - fireplaces, staircases and just about everything else) where we were able to buy old stone and fittings for our house when we were renovating it.

Poggibonsi, is really only a road junction (Siena, Florence, Pisa, Arezzo), for most of today's visitors to Tuscany. Founded in 1156 it became an influential town in the middle ages, but backed the wrong war lord and was razed to the ground. The rich left, the poor remained and a small town grew. Poor Poggibonsi, in the last world war it was thoroughly wrecked again so not much to see except, as Violetta has said, a fairly large industrial area.

As for places to eat etc. stay etc. these are probably geared to the business traveller.

For two days I think Florence is a much better choice, there will be loads to see and do in the evenings, a vast range of eateries etc. etc. and good transport links. I am sure you can find a bus etc. to San, Gimi. without taking a tour.

Best wishes and have a great trip.

Doesn't Poggibonsi have a train station? I have always found even small railway connections much more reliable and frequent than buses.

Poggibonsi is, indeed, famous as being the only ugly town in Tuscany. There is a direct bus to San Gimignano, but that convenience wouldn't really compensate.

How about staying in Siena instead? The train station is a bit out from the centre, but the bus station is central, with routes to Florence, San Gimignano etc.

I agree with Steve, Siena is a great city to use as a base and there are many buses going to both Florence and San Gimignano. Besides, Siena in itself deserves a stay as it is a wonderful city.

[QUOTE=Charles Phillips;114398]Doesn't Poggibonsi have a train station?QUOTE]

Absolutely, and it's been around for a long time for doesn't Forster refer to it as the railway station in Where Angels Fear to Tread? (I'm on the road and don't have book available to check the reference.) Whereas what is obviously San Gim in the book, he calls Monteriano. Always think of him and the book when I drive through there.

[quote=kathleen;114344]am I better off in poggibonsi or florence if using public transportation to visit san gimignano & nearby towns-better prices in poggibonsi, but I then have to travel to milan - two day visit-how good is the bus schedule? thank you![/quote]

Others have told you the truth, don't stay there. It does depend which time of year you are in Italy. Siena is preferable to Florence in high summer in my opinion but it's easier to get to Milan from Florence by train. You may even like to consider Arezzo? We were in S.Gimignano last week so if you want the info I drew up before the trip PM me. (There is a low cost hostel in Florence think it's about 28 euros a night).

[quote=kathleen;114344]am I better off in poggibonsi or florence if using public transportation to visit san gimignano & nearby towns-better prices in poggibonsi, but I then have to travel to milan - two day visit-how good is the bus schedule? thank you![/quote]

The bus that travels Firenze-Poggibonsi-San Gimignano is run by SITA see [url]www.sitabus.it[/url]
(Also Siena Poggibonsi S.Gimignano)

I would support those who opt for Siena, I stayed there for a month the year before last when at language school. At weekends I found it quite easy to get about, rail links north and south, north to Firenze and south to Chiusi. I tried the bus into Firenze and the return journey was fun with no one seeming to understand where the bus was scheduled to stop, in the end it did stop at Poggibonsi. The bus station at Siena also has a direct bus link to Pisa airport, buses twice a day in each direction when I was there. The Bus Station is central and the railway at the bottom of the hill outside.

I would certainly agree with the ugliness of Poggibonsi, though it is almost impossible to avoid when travelling around as it is such a junction for everywhere.
No idea how the public transport works so can't offer any suggestions, though I would say if you are plannign to visit San Gimignano try to fit in an evening visit, we thought it was very crowded and a bit tacky in the daytime (it was hot July I think), but returning for dinner in the evening it was a magical place.

Even in early March the afternoon brought the coach parties to San Gimignano and the atmosphere changed. Go early in the morning, visit the church of San Agostino and il Duomo o Collegiata to view the frescos, climb the tower at the Museo, and have lunch at il Pino. Stroll to the walls and grassy area at the top of the town, buy a gelato at the place boasting prize winning ices in Piazza Cisterna and leave before 3pm! In July and August if you must go, then as Penny says go at night to dine.