6 Nights in Tuscany

Sounds like a nice trip through Tuscany.

This is one of the situations when I like to get out a paper road map and look at how the cities are related/grouped geographically. Then I use Google Maps to estimated drive times and look at possible routes. Google Maps usually underestimates driving times in Italy so add 50% for a cushion.

I find it helpful in Europe to have a detailed paper map in addition to a GPS when driving in Europe.

One specific stop I will suggest is Monteriggione, not far from Siena, with intact medieval walls, and Volterra, so much more interesting, IMO, than San Gimignano.

I love Tuscany :) I highly recommend to do the Val d'orcia drive. Lots of info here or buy RS tour book. It brings you to some hidden gems and along the way stop at a little place for lunch. My favorite is also Assisi which is by car 1 1/2 hrs away. Beware of the local zones for cars in Florence. We did it and it was a nightmare. I am still perplexed how we avoided any kind of fines lol

I'm just curious why you are staying in two places when Greve and Radda are only minutes apart. Have you made reservations?

Study Google maps. Montepulciano is to the south, spend a day in that area. Siena deserves a full day. Then spend another day exploring San Gimignano and Volterra.

When you go to Florence, catch an early bus from Greve where there is free all day parking. The ride is about 40 minutes and you'll get to spend time with commuters. Then, take a late bus back to Greve.

Thank you for all the great info-please keep it coming.

Doug-yes we already have reservations. Our thought was we wanted to stay in an area central to sights in all directions. The place we are staying for 4 nights is rather remote with no food on premises. We were concerned about driving on the dark, unfamiliar roads every night for dinner. Our place near Greve is just a mile from many restaurants. As well, we thought it would be easier to get public transportation into Florence as we don't want to drive there.

My recollection is that the buses between Florence and Greve area stop running surprisingly early. When I went to the Chianti Classico festival in Greve, the last bus back to Florence departed around 7:30pm. You'll probably need to drive to a location with good late evening bus or tram service if you want to use public transit to go into Florence city center and stay for dinner.

We were concerned about driving on the dark, unfamiliar roads every night for dinner. Our place near Greve is just a mile from many restaurants.

Just out of curiosity, where are you staying when near Greve? We stayed at Castillo di Verrazzano. I suggest you have dinner there. Also, be sure to check out La Cantina in Greve.

Have you driven in Italy before? Actually, driving at night isn't hard, especially with a good GPS. Several evenings we didn't get home until after dark.

Doug, we're staying at Borgo Del Cabreo in Greve. We've not been to Italy before but since they eat later over there I figured there would be some dark driving nights and as I said our location is pretty remote.

The Borgo Del Cabreo looks very nice, but a little pricey for us. We stayed off season at Verrazzano for a week and it was less than 500 euro.

one day is not enough for Florence.