We will have 6 nights in Tuscany with a car rental 9/23/09 thru 9/29/09. 1st trip to Italy.
We will be leaving Rome around 2pm.
I was thinking about staying in or near Orvieto for the 1st night.
Seeing some of these the next day: Sorano, Pitigliano, Sovana, Saturina.
The up to Val’DOrcia – staying in or around San Quirico for 2 nights
Seeing some of these: Montalcino, Pienza, Monticchiello, Montepulciano
Then up to somewhere above Sienna for 2 nights.
Seeing Sienna, Monteiggioni, Volterra, (think we’ll skip touristy/crowded San Gimignano), want to see Chianti region – there are some grape festivals the last week of September kin Impruneta and Vagliagli that sound fun.
Think we might skip Florence for another trip. Last day we head back to Rome for 4 days then on a cruise for 12 days.
Any suggestions? Are we trying to bite off too much?
Posted by
Jonesboro, Arkansas, USA
606 posts
Yes, you're biting off too much, except that you say "seeing some of these" so you realize you just can't do it all. That's good.
Orvieto is fine for the first night. It's one of the greatest places you will see, so don't short-change it. Rather than just making it a stop for the night, the next day I'd stay a while to see Orvieto, and rest a bit from my travel to Italy, before pressing on to other towns.
This trip I'd skip Sienna, Monteiggioni, Volterra and concentrate on Montalcino, Pienza, Monticchiello, Montepulciano, and maybe add Cortona.
OR I'd skip Montalcino, Pienza, Monticchiello, Montepulciano and concentrate on Sienna, Monteiggioni, Volterra, and Chianti.
Realize that it's all wonderful; you won't be disappointed. But don't wear yourself out and rush through these great places!
Posted by
Palm Beach, Florida, United States
536 posts
Hi Terry - After years of travelling Italy I think you should get a flavor of it by seeing as much as REASONABLY possible - My thought would be stay near San Gimignano at my favorite B&B - Casolare di Libbiano or whichever other one you would like and, in one long day you can see Siena, San Gimignano and Volterra which is basically around the corner from San Gimignano. There is a reason why San Gimignano is touristy and that is simply because it is one of the greatesat Hilltowns and you probably should see it!! So - Sienna in the morning - San Gimignano in the afternoon, and Volterra in the evening with dinner at one of the many wonderful cafes!!
Day 2 - Your choice but what I'm trying to show you is that you can do a lot if organized. Of course each one of those places could take a day BUT you'll get a nice flavor and move on .
Enjoy Tuscany - It is FABULOUS
Ciao, Greg
Posted by
OP
Costa Mesa, CA
2 posts
Thanks for you input Patrick. It's so tough to choose but I like how you gave us options. Great advice!
Posted by
Norfolk, USA
255 posts
My vote would be for Siena, San Gimignano, and Monteriggioni. I know everyone talks about how crowded San Gim is, but honestly, we were there last October and thought it was far less crowded than Siena. It was actually our favorite of the 2 places.
Posted by
San Jose
84 posts
My husband and I have traveled in Italy quite a bit and we have stayed the last few times at Hotel Sovestro, which is just outside San Gimignano. It is very nice with a more-than-adequate breakfast buffet. Just adjacent is Da Pode Restaurant, where we have enjoyed many delicious meals. The hotel is convenient after a day of travels in Tuscany and since is is just a short way off the road, it prevents having to negotiate the narrow and one-way streets in any of the towns. Happy travels!