I’m planning a trip to Italy in the winter ( January 2019) and will have about 4 days in Florence and about a week to explore the Tuscan region. I will rent a car and figure renting it on Florence might be easier but perhaps not, looking for advice on the best approach. I figure to base my stay in Siena or right outside it a bit closer to the south of the region near Montelpuciano. Given the season I’m wonder if staying in the agriturismo may not be the best idea. Does any one have recommendations on traveling within the region and the best areas to use as a base? Is anyone aware of car rental places around Siena’s train station?
Posted by
Boston
1709 posts
Staying in a rural setting or small town is a poor idea. The weather in January can often make travel slow and the small towns can be very sleepy. If you're comfortable with reduced expectations, perhaps spend 2 nights in Siena and 2 in Montepulciano.
Posted by
616 posts
I would choose Florence as a base, do all the cities with train or bus and rent a car, or take a private driver to discover the countryside and stop where you feel like.
I would take 3-4 days for FLORENCE
1-2 days for Siena
3-4 days for a small discovery of Tuscan countryside.
This is the mimimum stay.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11359 posts
We stayed in an agriturismo near Montepulciano one February for a long weekend. The property was lovely, the weather cool but dry, the service excellent. However, we froze in the 400-year-old apartment! Those stone walls keep out the heat in summer but it makes it hard to heat those cavernous rooms! The modern electric heat did not chase the chill and the fireplace only helped in the kitchen/sitting room.
I would stay in a proper B&B or hotel.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
15238 posts
I would split the stay between Florence and Siena, and use those bases to visit the surrounding towns. Some of the towns can be easily visited by bus or train.
Smaller towns will be dead in winter so I wouldn’t stay there, not even Montepulciano, which is a bit bigger.
One note about renting cars in winter. In most Tuscan highways you must mandatorily carry chains or snow tires between Nov. 15 and Apr. 15. Inquire with the rental company about your car being equipped with that.
Posted by
Chicago
1949 posts
However, we froze in the 400-year-old apartment! Those stone walls
keep out the heat in summer but it makes it hard to heat those
cavernous rooms! The modern electric heat did not chase the chill and
the fireplace only helped in the kitchen/sitting room.
Laurel relates this in Montepulciano in December. We experienced the same thing at a B&B in Sorrento in March!
Cold is cold, we couldn't get warm. Insane to be paying 150 Euro a night and have to wear coats in the room or be huddled up in bed with extra covers. And the outside temp was only in the low-to-mid 40's.
To contrast, this was after a beautiful week in Rome, where temps were in the 60's, felt like spring was in the air.
You never know in Italy in winter, although it's when I travel to avoid the 'scourge of tourists'...