I have everything else planned but not sure how to plan this area. I will be meeting my college-age son after a school humanities tour for 2 weeks in Italy. I rented a car for these days so we would have flexibility. I was thinking Assisi, Orvieto, civita, Siena but of course I want to go to smaller towns too. So, I was thinking, one night in Assisi then 2 nights somewhere else? We like history, beauty, good food and want to genuinely experience what this area has to offer. I would value your suggestions.
Posted by
Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico
1751 posts
I would recommend spending three nights in Siena and using it as a base to explore the region. It's easy to get from Siena by car to some of the best small towns in the region, plus it is a wonderful place to spend your evenings.
If you prefer to spend the first night in Assisi, that's reasonable too. Just depends on how much moving around you want to do.
Posted by
the Netherlands
2487 posts
Almost on the doorstep of Assisi you'll find Spello, one of those classic hill-towns, and Foligno, which is amazingly attractive. (You might even consider having your hotel there instead of probably busy Assisi.) With a car at your disposal you should not miss Spoleto, somehow one of the nicest cities around here.
South of Siena, the classic hill-towns are, of course, Montalcino, Montepulciano and Pienza. If you happen to be around there, a visit to the Sant'Antimo Abbey won't disappoint you.
Posted by
Chicago
8069 posts
The area between Florence and Rome is just filled with fabulous places to visit. I am usually in favor of a base with touring from a base, but with only three nights, planning 3 stops makes sense. The one caution is that you are always at risk of losing your stuff when touring with your luggage in the car. Use all the precautions and do not leave computers, cameras, ID, money, prescription meds in your luggage so if the worst happens, you are losing your underwear and not things hard to replace.
Assissi is wonderful. Siena is wonderful and particularly lovely in the evening. Montepulciano is my favorite of the hill towns -- so picturesque. Each of these places is a good evening town with good restaurants and good areas to stroll in picturesque surroundings. The views from the walls of Montepulciano are spectacular. There are some in this set of snapshots:
https://janettravels.wordpress.com/2011/09/20/patterns/
Consider Saturnia for a stop on the way to bathe in the incredible hot spring waterfall in a public park. When we did it there were no changing rooms, we just changed by the car, and you will smell like sulfur for a few days -- but so worth it.
http://www.lifeinitaly.com/tourism/tuscany/saturnia-thermal-baths
Sovana is a tiny town where we bought a map of the Etruscan tombs in the area and then drove to hike up to some of them. Really interesting. The Etruscan tomb cities in Tarquinia and Cervetari just north of Rome are very interesting and very different from each other -- great stop on the way to drop the car.
so many great spots to visit -- Pienza, Orvieto, Montalcino and Abbeys like Sant Antimo and Monte Oliveto Maggiore -- I would figure out where you want to stay each night and then maybe plan one other visit that day i.e. drive from Night A to a site on the way to Night B -- This is stunning country and rich in fabulous places to visit. Pick a very few and enjoy them and come back for the rest.
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
Just a little further from Spello is Trevi, a beautiful hill town. Last year some people at the hotel where I stayed were going truffle hunting. Olives/olive oil is the main product.
Posted by
OP
8 posts
Thank you so much for your input. -and the reminder of the dangers of driving with our belongings! I love the hot springs suggestion!
Do you know of any "how it's done" type experiences/tours?