I'm starting to rethink staying in Cortona for a week. During that time we want to do an overnight to Cinque Terre, and also spend a day in Florence. Would somewhere in Chianti make more sense? Ideally we would like an apartment close enough to walk to a town. There are so many options out there I'm getting a bit confused! Any advice is appreciated. Oh, we will have a car.
Posted by
Carbondale, IL, USA
1201 posts
Tuscany is fairly large and the northern and southern parts are rather different scenery wise.
You might want to stay in Cortona for a while then puell up stakes and move farther north. Say to maybe Lucca.
Posted by
Richmond, Ky, USA
277 posts
You need to think about your priorities. Tuscany and the CT offer such different things that you might need to choose between the two. Maybe pick a small region of tuscany to see, and then spend a couple of days in the CT. I would consider two days in CT a minimum. Sounds like maybe 3 days around Florence(Florence/Sienna/San Gimignano), and then two days in CT(Vernazza/or another of the small towns). Florence is...Well, Florence. It is beautiful beyond compare. Sienna is a little more eclectic, and San g is just a wonderful hilltown, if you are there in the evening when most of the tourists leave. Outside Sienna is the very small town of Monteriggioni. A nice side trip out of Sienna for a slow glass of wine in the main Piazza.
Vernazza or Manarola is my personal favorite, We like to stay right on the Piazza in Vernazza and enjoy all the sights/sounds/and smells that this place has to offer. Nice rooms are available, you just need to do your homework before you go. Eat where the locals eat, and you won't go wrong. Stop at the Co-op and you have the makings of a great picnic. Whatever you do, indulge in a good bottle of Sciacchetra, on the breakwater late in the evening, with the one you love. You will never forget it!
Whatever you choose, do your homework before you go, Italy can be done at any level you choose. Most of all, ENJOY! TO me Italy is one of the best places on earth.
Jeff
Posted by
Atlanta, Ga
211 posts
I agree with other posters Gail. Great ideas about where to go, but easier to stay in 2 places 3 or 4 days or 3 places 2 or 3 days than just one place in our experience. You do a lot less doubling back, can see more and don't have to worry about being "overserved" by some gracious hosts at a restaurant and then driving at night to get to back to Cortona.
For example, in our last stay in Tuscany we spent 4 nights in Montalcino, 3 nights in Chianti and 2 nights in Cortona. You have to move in and out a little but not a real problem (especially since if you're like Rick you only pack a Dopp kit to travel!)