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1 Day in touring by car in Tuscany

We are staying in the Figurine Val D'Arno area and want to do a full day driving tour in Tuscany area. We will be seeing the Chianti area another morning, but we are interested in what area to do a day trip. We are interested in beautiful views, lovely sidewalk cafes for coffee or wine, perhaps a spot for a picnic - maybe a charming hilltop town or 2. Someone suggested the Val'Dorcia area. If you have enjoyed a particular area, please let me know where and why you enjoyed that area.
Thank you!

Posted by
15043 posts

When you visit the Chianti area you can probably fit San Gimignano. From Figline (check your spelling. It's not Figurine) take the road to Dudda then to Greve and from Greve go down to Poggibonsi and San Gimignano. On the way back you can hit Monteriggioni then Castellina.

For the other tour, Pienza, Monticchiello and Montepulciano (Val d'Orcia is the name of the valley) makes sense. Just get on the A1.south toward Roma and exit at the Valdarno exit.

Other easy options are Cortona and Arezzo (the latter is a small city, but quaint nevertheless). Both can be hit in a day.

Near Figline there is also Loro Ciuffenna, Castelfranco and Pian di Sco. All are small towns that can be visited in one hit.

If you are interested in shopping, the Prada outlet is in Figline. If you go down to the Val d'Orcia or also Cortona near Foiano della Chiana there is the huge Outlet called Valdichiana Village.

Plenty of choices, not enough time. In your shoes I'd visit Arezzo and Cortona. Why? Because part of my family lives there and they cook me good stuff. That's a good enough reason for me.

Posted by
906 posts

I have a lot of ideas. Here are a couple.

You can drive all the way to Santa Margherita and even into Portofino from where you in a day trip. You will go by Lucca (a good spot), Carerra (marble but not much else), It is about 125 miles straight through to Portofino so that is easy. If you do this you could go up the Serchio River to Castellonuovo di Garfagnana, in the mountains, pretty drive. This makes it about 160 miles to Portofino, and then return the other way on freeways.

Locally, Montecattini Alto, nice little hill top town, small but charming.

If you want to go a bit south then take E76>E35>SR2 (SiFi Autostrada) and exit Poggibonsi, or, Monteriggioni. Then head to San Gimignano. Then down SR429 to Certaldo and Castelfiorientino. OR, go a bit west to Volterra then down to Empoli and home, about 100 miles round trip.

Lots of options

Posted by
42 posts

Gordon, you seem to have had some great drives in Tuscany!! Any suggestions for a great day drive from Florence? A few towns to visit that have charm and beautiful views and everything you think of when you hear "Tuscan country side"