Planning Tuscany

Barbara, I think it sounds very reasonable (and wonderful). It's very like a trip I did many years ago. We did Lucca and Pisa the same day and it worked well. We did Cortona and Arezzo (rather than montepulciano) in one day. We also did a day in Sienna and a day in San Gimingano. I loved every bit of Tuscany.

Thanks --I am now trying to figure out the best way to do this because it looks like we have three days but they are broken up... First day we arrive to pick up the car in Florence we get there at 11 by the time we pick up the car it will be lunch time so half the day gone--so we could go to Lucca and then down to San G to check in later in the day Then day 2 do San G in AM and SIenna in the afternoon Day 3 Cortona and Montipulciano (AM and PM) Then the day we check out and are on our way back to Florence head back through Pisa as I don't think there is that much we want to see there except the tower:) and then be back in time to drop the car off by noon.. then we have the rest of that day plus the next day in Florence My question now is willl we have enough time to see the highlights of each place in a half day each.. How much time (I realize this is somewhat subjective and one could spend days in some of these cities but given liimited time--how much time will I need for each to do justice to them Lucca San G Siena Cortona Montipulciano Pisa
Thanks!!

Barbara, As you plan on driving in Florence, be sure to research previous posts here regarding the dreaded ZTL areas. Also, each driver will need the compulsory International Driver's Permit. If you need further details, post another note. Cheers!

Thank you I am familiar with the zones and we plan to get the car at the airport we do not plan on driving within Florence at all.
we already have the forms for the international drivers license just need pics. So all set just need to rent. Read up on previous posts re this as well

Another possibility on transportation. Are you taking the train from Venice to Florence? Then getting from the train station back out to the airport (NW of the city? Then driving from there, right, to San Gimignano? All that moving from one mode of transport to the other will eat up some time. If that's the idea, then you might also want to consider just picking up a rental car as you leave Venice (very easy; rental agencies are all in Piazzale Roma), and drive straight to San G. (will take about 3 1/2 hours). You could be there for lunch, if you'd like. If I was going to Montepulciano (delightful little city), I would want to combine it with nearby Montalcino, Pienza and San Quirico d'Orcia, as oposed to Cortona. Especially if you like wine! Another day, spend some time in San G. (as you're staying there, you can visit there whenever you like), then visit Siena and if you want another nearby location, Monteriggioni. Not much there, but it's a perfect tiny walled town. I'm not sure if I'd visit Lucca or Pisa from San Gimignano at all; it seems like you have successive days of quite a bit of driving. You can always decide then and there what you want to do on a given day; if you've enough driving, then change your plans for that day. You could visit some places that are closer to San Gimignano - Certaldo, Volterra, Colle di Val d'Elsa.

thanks for the suggestions. As we are goning to be going back to Florence and dropping the car there I think it would be easier to just get it there and cheaper. I already have my tickets from Venice to Florence and got them cheap as a mini fare My H wants to see the tower of Pisa so we will go there but not stay for long that was why I was thinking to do that on day one from Florence to San G. then do Lucca on the day we are returning the car before we drop it off in the morning before we go to Florence since is near Florence we will read up a bit more on the area to decide.
I will check out some of the other areas mentioned.. as well vrs Cortona