My friend and I want to be able to take a day leaving from Siena an explore the countryside. Do you have any suggestions as to scooter rental places in Siena?
If a scooter can't be found do you think that cycling in the countryside would still be a fun day?
Any time you can get out of a train/bus/car and explore the roads outside of a city --it's a GREAT day!
We've done a few bike tours out of Siena. We brought our bike, so we haven't done a rental.
you might check into www.cicloposse.com The offer day trips - bike rentals, etc. They can even arrange a custom tour for you with suggestions of routes to suit your ability, desires.
We love riding our bike in the Italian country side. Leaving for our 7th trip next month to see yet another region of this beautiful country. We spend most of our time in smaller towns, no tourists. Biking is the best way to really "feel" the country, to mix with locals and to feel unrushed during holiday.
Sarah, you didn't indicate if you are an experienced scooter/motorcycle rider. If you are -- no problem and rental are available. But if you are not, Europe and especially Italy is not the place to learn. Scooters and Italy have a romantic image but can be very dangerous if you do know how to handle the machine.
Sarah:
In the fall of 2007 we were in Tuscany and a couple of the guys in our group wanted to rent scooters. We easily found a place in Greve that did so. Greve is small so I would guess that there would be availability in Siena. I am sure that your innkeeper would know this information.
However, the kind of scooters they rent are for simple urban scooting around. The scooters had small engines and speed governors. Going between villages was a frightening experience as faster vehicles blew past them on the small Italian roads.
Also, remember that the "hill towns" are called "hill towns" for a reason. Those little scooters barely made it up the grade to the next village. While I remember lots of bicyclists all through Tuscany - those hills are frequent, steep and daunting - too much for this fat old man!
We all had a good laugh about it but those two fellows were relieved and happy to return the scooters. Just my two cents. Have fun.
Rentals in Sienna
Personally have not rented there before though.
I rent in Florence
Here
Some pointers:
Decide if you want a scooter or a motorcycle.
A 450CC or better motorcycle works just fine on the Main Highways if you get lost and need to use one to get back. The little scooters are restricted to the back roads. You'll want at least a 100-150CC scooter. Italians on other Scooters pass on both sides. So check that right hand mirror before you do anything. If coming to a blind bend in the road, and you hear two short Horn signals, slow to a stop. A bus or a truck is about to come through and will take the entire road. Pull over a lot and let the locals pass you. Outside of major cities, such as Florence, the roads are very peaceful and the traffic is light.
Road signs, particularly arrows pointing to a destination at a fork in the road can be entirely misleading. So its good to have an idea of where you are at all times in relation to the back ground terrain and maintaining a sense of North/South/East/West. Never hurts to ask a local if you are unsure which road to take.
You'll need full eye protection, not just sunglasses due to the volcanic dust and pollen.
A suggested route. You can do the entire route virtually by looking at google sat. photos.
Head a little South of Sienna then take E 78 East. Turns into 326 till you get to Sinalunga. Now head to Piano. Piano to Gracciano. Gracciano to Montepulciano. Montepulciano to Pienza. Pienza to Montalcino. Montalcino to Buonconvento. Buonconvento to Asciano. Then take road 438 back to the E 78 and Sienna.
