Italy road trip part 2 (from Siena to Veneto)
Last updated on December 16th, 2025.
This is part two of our road trip around Italy. I recommend reading part one first to get some context.
Earthquake in Perugia — road trip Italy
On the eve of the devastating earthquake in Italy, we were none the wiser as we continued our evening in Perugia.
Though we stayed on the border of the Umbria region, we didn’t emerge unaffected by the early morning event. Everything in our bedroom — including us — shook with each tremor.
My first earthquake could only be described as terrifying, but we were one of the lucky ones to leave unharmed.
Road trip Italy from Siena to Veneto
First stop in Siena
I felt guilty about admitting that I was happy to leave Perugia behind. The experience and aftermath of the earthquake had left us feeling anxious and on edge.
Next stop
We arrived in the magical city of Siena a few hours later, a great sense of relief washing over the both of us.
Our one day in Siena began with us making our way to the center. The sight of the medieval brick buildings — that I’d only ever seen before in photos — provided a beautiful distraction.
We continued walking towards Siena's core, only to be greeted by the most spectacular sight.
We found ourselves standing in the glorious Piazza del Campo — a fan-shaped square so grand in size it’s easy to feel miniscule.
Exploring historic Siena
Other buildings of interest are the Palazzo Pubblico and Torre del Mangia, a tower dating to the 14th century. If you’re familiar with the Palio horse race, Piazza del Campo is where the twice yearly event takes place.
However, the most memorable moment came when we first set eyes upon the Siena Cathedral (Duomo di Siena). One of the most spectacular landmarks in Italy, it's a sight that'll leave you speechless.
My heart stopped upon seeing the Italian Romanesque-Gothic masterpiece and a huge smile swept across my face. All the photos I took, and there were many, did little justice to captivating this magnificent church.
Siena is full of tourists, but rightly so. With its historic buildings, impressive piazzas and majestic architecture it makes competing with the tourists all the more worth it. Speaking of tourists….
Battling the tourists in Florence
Firenze (Florence) is one of those cities that’d always been on my travel list but I’d never managed to visit. We only planned to stay for 1 day, but 2 days in Florence is a better time frame for a first-time visit.
My hopes were high as we arrived in the capital city of Tuscany, particularly after being in Siena. If you stay on the outskirts of the center, I highly recommend walking than taking a taxi/local transport to get into town.
You get the chance to better explore the area, plus take in the beautiful views.
A city that lives up to its hype
You know when you’ve hit Florence's city center as it's feels like you've stepped into a bygone era.
Ancient buildings, church domes and stone statues align your view. If you’ve ever seen photos of Florence, then I don’t need to tell you how beautiful it is.
Seeing the intricate detailing on the churches, not to mention the magnitude, is 100 times better than any camera could capture.
The number one attraction
Ponte Vecchio is one of the most popular viewing spots in Florence. However, be prepared to battle with many other tourists vying for the same photo op.
If you want to visit Florence's top sights without waiting in long lines be sure to book a tour in advance. You'll visit magnificent sights like Florence's spectacular Duomo and Brunellischi's dome.
Be mindful of your belongings and surroundings when visiting Florence. There are some well-known scams that operate in the center, and unsuspecting tourists are the prime target.
Aside from seeing the sights, there was one other reason why we came to Firenze, and this one, you could eat.
Bistecca alla Fiorentina
The infamous Bistecca alla Fiorentina is one of the best dishes in Italy and a must (for carnivores) when visiting. Essentially, it’s a T-bone steak that comes from the Chianina cow — any other breed is not the real deal.
Bistecca alla Fiorentina has to be the tastiest steak I’ve ever eaten, not to mention the biggest. Most sizes range from 800 grams to 1.2 kg, so you’re advised to try one on an empty stomach.
Don't think about asking for a well done bistecca alla Fiorentina. One of many mistakes to avoid making in Italy expect some raised eyebrows should you choose this option.
As you can see from the photo, the steaks are cooked medium rare to medium and that's how they're served.
There are many restaurants that claim to do the best Bistecca alla Fiorentina, but for me, Buca Lapi wins hands down. It’s an intimate restaurant not too far from the center with a warm atmosphere and unbelievably tasty food.
The reviews we’d read beforehand were all spot on: high prices, yet friendly waiters and a warm welcome from the owner. Buca Lapi is only open a few hours for dinner, so making a reservation is essential.
Arriving in Bologna
We reached the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region the next day, after over an hour’s drive from Florence.
Like Perugia, Bologna is a university city, meaning that the streets were emptier than usual when we visited in August. This detail only bettered our visit, as we were able to enjoy the sights without many people around.
All roads lead to Piazza Maggiore, the heart of the center of Bologna.
A city center walking tour is a fun way to explore and learn about the best sites in the piazza. Within the square is the 10th largest church in the world, (by volume) San Petronio Basilica, the Duomo of Bologna.
Other sights to see — road trip Italy
Piazza Maggiore is also home to the impressive Palazzo d'Accursio, which used to be City Hall but is now a museum.
When it comes to deciding what to eat in Bologna, you're spoiled for choice. Bologna has so many delicious things to try, you'll want to order one of everything.
Notable dishes include Spuma di Mortadella, Tagliatelle al ragù and meat-filled fresh egg tortellini.
Last stop: Veneto
A telling sign that you've entered the Veneto region is when you pass by the distinctive River Po. The river in northeast Italy is a starting point for anyone wanting to explore the northern regions of the country and beyond.
There's a saying that if Sicily is the place to eat, then Veneto is the place to drink. I was told this by many Italians throughout my travels, and when I arrived, I understood why.
Veneto is wine country, or region, and the seemingly endless sprawls of vineyard only reflect this. Its popular exports include Valpolicella, Soave and my favorite, Prosecco.
A culture of (controlled) drinking
There's a noticeably stronger drinking culture in Veneto, but not of the ‘get completely trashed’ kind. The popular spritz Aperol isn't reserved for the evening aperitivo; you can enjoy one mid-morning. It’s not unheard of to take a spritz and a tramezzini (small sandwich) around 11.45am.
The region's capital is Venice, which though magical in its own right, isn't the only place to see in Veneto. Within the region is romantic Verona, Vicenza and Padova.
If I'd to sum up our road trip in Italy in 3 words, it'd be ‘not long enough’. Italy is a remarkable country to visit and travel through, with each region and city offering something unique.
I was fortunate to enjoy many memorable experiences and I'm already looking forward to the next one.
A road trip around Italy is a great addition to any Italy bucket list. Add places from this guide or have fun creating your own itinerary. Use this post to help plan your trip to Italy.
Have you been on a road trip around Italy? What was your experience like? Leave me a message in the comments, I'd love to hear them.
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I love the views and art of the city of Italy.
Me too!
my mouth watered at the picture of the steak. Craving Italian food now. Hope to be back there this summer because I have yet to see Siena or Veneto!
Lovely! I hope you enjoy your time there, it's like my second home 😀
Beautiful photos of Siena. Italy is my favourite country! Glad that you are also in love with this land.
Thank you! Yes, we had an amazing trip, and I feel lucky to have had the experience.
I've never heard of Bistecca alla Fiorentina before, but now that I have I can't stop drooling! I'm a carnivore, so this would be on my "must-do" list in Italy. I'd love to do a road trip through Italy, taking my time to really stop and enjoy not only the major cities like Florence, but also the smaller country towns. It sounds like you've had an amazing time!
The steak is probably my favourite of all time! Really, there's no comparison, and a road trip in Italy is incredible 😀
I visited Siena 5 years ago. It was really good time there. Duomo di Siena is my favorite place 🙂
It's a lovely place, and the duomo is spectacular!
Getting caught up in an earthquake is always a bad expereince but I'm glad you're okay and didn't let that spoil the rest of your trip, which looks fantastic btw.
Thank you, it was! And no, it didn't ruin the experience at all 🙂
Florence holds such a place in my heart! Italy was my first trip abroad and this post makes me want to go back (even if for that steak alone, I'm drooling)
It's such a lovely city! And yes, the steak is so good 😀
Italy surely is one of my dream destinations and is a haven for an architecture lover like me. Nice reading your experience and lovely photos too.
Cool! You'll love the architecture here, it's an amazing country.
So glad that you escaped, what a thing... Italy is one of my favorite places in the world. All the places are amazing, the food is so good ant the way that talk.... Beautiful 😉
It's an incredible place, and I'm lucky to have been! x
Great post, it’s a shame about the earthquake. Regardless looks like you made the most of it and enjoyed your trip. You’ve made me even more excited to head to Verona.
Wonderful! I'm there often and I'm sure you'll enjoy it too 🙂
I'm glad you escaped unscathed from the earthquake. I had skipped Bologna during our time in the region. Now I see that it was a mistake. We also gave the bisteca a miss since we thought that it might have been a bit too much for two small sized Indians to finish :). Sienna and Florence were definite highlights of our trip as well. I hope you were able to enjoy the variety of Tuscan wines in offer in the region.
Such a shame you missed trying the bistecca! It's as much a highlight in Bologna for me as it the Ponte Vecchio! Maybe next time you'll have more of an appetite 🙂
Happy you are safe and travels from now see good things for you and yours.
Thank you.
Wow getting caught up in an earthquake is such a scary expereince! Glad you are okay. On a brighter note the rest of your trip looked amazing; the food and the pretty architecture.
It was awful, but we're so lucky we got out okay. Italy is incredible 😀
That is scary! It's a bit hard to write about how amazing the food and buildings look, but they do. Can understand from your post why Italy is a must visit destination.
It really is! Everything is delicious and the history is second to none!
Ah, Tuscany--one of my favorite regions in the world! We still haven't made it to Siena (next time!), but we spent a month last year living in Florence, and agree that the food is such a highlight. So glad you managed to make the rounds of the best dishes while you were in town! So sorry to hear about your earthquake experience--that can definitely influence your perception of a place!
The earthquake was super scary! But more devastating for the people whose villages were completely destroyed.
Road trips are so much fun as per me, I enjoy them especially if you travel with like minded people, inspite of challenges, I am sure you would have enjoyed it. That Bistecca alla Fiorentina is truly inviting and being a hard core non vegetarian I would love to relish it.
Excellent! It's the best steak I've ever had and I salivate whenever I think of it!
It must have been so scary to go through the earthquake, I cannot imagine what that would be like. Siena was one of my favourite destinations in Italy and I would love to visit again in the future
It's an incredible place, and definitely worth a second look 😀
I would love to one day do a road trip around Italy. If possible at a very leisurely pace to really enjoy and absorb the atmosphere, learn much of the history and meet people along the way. Naturally I would prefer not to include any earthquakes in that formula and I can only imagine how scary that would have been. I do get what you mean when you say that photos sometimes don't do a place justice as there is just so much photos can't capture relating to the feel of a place. Nevertheless I think you took some lovely ones here which also made me hungry and thirsty in the process!
Sorry Nicole! Italy's a great country to do a road trip, and with plenty of delicious things to eat and drink along the way!
It must have been quite scary to experience the earthquake and I think it's understandable that you were relieved to move on. Siena is one of the Italian cities I've still not visited, even though it's on my wishlist. Your post makes me want to book a trip as soon as possible. Florence is also on my list, though I fear the crowds and need to consider an off-season visit. Bologna is a favourite that we loved visiting and I'd happily go back there for the incredible food alone, let alone everything else. And Venice, another favourite, we are heading back for our third trip next month having left it over 11 years since our last trip, I can't wait to revisit!
Oh wow, it's been a long time! Siena is one of my favourite Italian cities, it's stunning and I highly recommend it.
Gosh that food looks amazing, making me very hungry!! It looks so beautiful there as well. I'm off to Italy in May so am looking forward to using some of your tips during my trip!!
Wonderful Alice! I hope you make it here and can visit some of these places.
Wow, how scary that you had to experience an earthquake when you were traveling. I really liked reading about the things you've done. I've never been to Italy before, but it's very high on my bucketlist. It just looks like such a beautiful country, with beautiful nature as well as architecture.
Aw you must visit soon. Italy's gorgeous and really worth exploring in full one day.
That's crazy that you got caught up in an Earthquake. Must of been terrifying! On a brighter note, this road trip sounds fabulous When I the building here look so pretty.
It was terrifying, especially as it was my first! It's a great road trip through a beautiful country!
Thanks for sharing this. We visited Italy over ten years ago, and need to visit again soon.
Glad you enjoyed it.
Thank God you all were safe! Liking to read your interesting journey in Italy. I always enjoy road trip but never been to Italy 🙂
It's a beautiful country, and I'm lucky I get to visit frequently.
Have seen so many posts about Italy,and your wonderful pictures just refuelled my wanderlust to visit Italy.
I have been intrigued by the building architecture, and always wanted to witness the sheer beauty in person.
Hopefully in the next couple of months.
Thank you, these are the type of comments I love to read! Hope you return there soon 🙂
I am actually moving to Italy for a month in October, next to Florence, and I am looking forward to traveling around to all of these places. I have been to Venice a few months ago but I was disappointed by how expensive it was so I won't be going again this time. However, I am looking forward to Florence and Sienna, especially to try the Bisteca Fiorentina. It looks so delicious!
You're not the only one who wasn't as enamoured with Venice! It's beautiful but once you've seen it, you can tick it off the list and discover far better, and cheaper, places in Italy.
I have heard about that earthquake in the news. It is good to hear that you were safe, although it was pretty devastated! Italy is always filled with beauty wherever you go. I love learning about these smaller, less popular sides of Italy through your blog!
Aww thank you, I'm glad to educate and inspire! The earthquake was scary, but we're so lucky that Perugia didn't experience nothing as close to what other cities in the region did 🙁 Italy's a beautiful country, and I urge everyone to see it!
This sounds like so much fun (apart from the earthquake part!). Italy is such a beautiful place and I haven't even been outside of Rome! I want to plan a trip with my husband so you've given me some great ideas, thanks!
You're so welcome, and you need to explore waaaay beyond Rome! There's so much to see and do, I encourage you to plan it well 🙂
I lovely everything about Italy, the food, history, the building etc. I would love to do a road trip for Italy taking my time to explore. Oh my that Bistecca alla Fiorentina at Buca Lapi looks so yummy that it is making my mouth water. Sorry to hear about the earthquake during your trip but I am glad that you are ok.
Thanks Mel! We were ok, just a little shaken in the aftermath. Buca Lapi is excellent, and I urge all meat eaters to try the bisteca!
Oh you have witnessed the natural calamity(Earthquake) so closely. Must be so terrifying and scary. But then also you managed to tour around and took stunning captures which is a true spirit of a travel freaks. Siena really looks so appealing due to its gothic styled cathedrals, cobbled streets and specially the Duomo di Siena. Lovely post!
Thank you! Siena is a charm and the Duomo is jaw-droppingly beautiful 🙂
Oh no! I'm so sorry that there was an earthquake during your visit! Hopefully it doesn't leave a horribly long lasting impression on your mind and you can enjoy further visits! That steak looks absolutely delightful. I would love to sink my teeth into one of them!
Ooh the Fiorentina is soooo good, and I don't usually eat so much meat! It did't leave a horrible impression, just a memorable one!
Didn't you love Siena?
It is indeed my favorite city in the Northern part of the country and one I cannot wait to go back to!
Thanks for bringing me such great memories.
Yes, it's very beautiful - not my favourite, but still a must visit.
Gosh! What an eventful road trip! That earthquake experience must have been terrifying. I'm glad you all were unharmed and still able to enjoy the other lovely cities in Italy. I have yet to visit that beautiful country.
Aw, that's such a shame! I can't believe you have't yet travelled to Italy because it's wonderful!
I hate earthquakes in general but to be in a foreign country during one sounds quite terrifying. I'm actually scared of going to Perugia already because of the whole Amanda Knox debacle so that would REALLY turn me off Perugia! Italy is my fav but I haven't yet made it to Siena or Veneto so this was fun to read... Although I don't eat meat so the part I didn't love 😛 Going to pin this for when I make it there to visit! Thanks for sharing.
Lol no worries! There's a lot of meat eating in Italy, but equally good vegetables and fruits too! I understand about the Know story, but don't let that put you off 😀
Siena is such a magical place, you're so right! I went years ago to visit a friend who was living there, and we had the best time exploring the beautiful old city. The Duomo is amazing, like towers of licorice allsorts inside ? X
It's totally breathtaking Becca, honestly, I think my heart stopped for a second when we entered the piazza! Many thanks for commenting, glad you enjoyed it!
Great post! I'm heading to Italy in September and couldn't be more excited to indulge in the food and historical architecture! I love the way you write. I always feel like I can place myself in your shoes.
Leah
Thanks Leah, that's really kind of you. I love being there, and try to convey this through my posts 🙂 Thanks for stopping by.
Brilliant post 🙂 My other half is Italian, I have been to South Italy many times, but you have seen a lot more than I have! I need to go to Bologna, Fiorenze, Siena ....oh dear, I will need to book 2 months holiday to get to see everything on my bucket list. Right on top of my list is Capri!!! The Blue Lagoon is still a must see for me.
Thanks Klaudia! Yes, Italy is one of those countries that deserves a more than a month to really see everything!
Looks like a amazing trip, the photos look so beautiful
Thanks Pavlina, it really was an amazing trip!
An amazing adventure in an interesting place.
Thanks Eleni, glad you enjoyed it!
I hope things are getting well with the earthquake in Perugia. Such a pity thing!
Thanks Sid, yes, it's really sad what happened, it will take a while before things are back to normal.
So jealous. I've been to Italy and was only there for a day on a Mack flight (military flight). I was there long enough to see the Vatican and go straight to the airport. I have always wanted to go back.
Thanks Amanda, it's a beautiful country, so full of travel memories waiting to be made, hope you get back there one day!
Wow that is scary about the Earthquake! I have not experienced one yet but my partner has and it sounded terrifying. I agree that Italy is beautiful but I have not been for years. I think you would need months to do a great road trip there!
It was frightening! Just glad we made it out safely. You must return, especially with your son, he'd love it!