We are planning to stay at a farmhouse near Bibbiena and Poppi in Tuscany for 2 nights in early June. We will ride the train from Rome to Arezzo, and then rent a car for driving the 40 min. to the farmhouse, arriving sometime in the evening. After our stay at the farmhouse, we plan to take the train to Vernazza--at the end of our 2nd day in Tuscany. My question pertains to the 2nd and final of our 2 days in that area. On that 2nd day we want to explore a hill town or two in our car, and then in the mid- to late-afternoon drop the car off at a location within walking distance of a train station that lies on the route to that night's destination, Vernazza. One option would be to explore Poppi and La Verna, and then take the car to Florence. Another might be to drive over to Siena or San Gimignano, and drop the car/board the train in that area. Any advice on logistics and driving in Tuscany would be greatly appreciated!
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11811 posts
Personally I would drive to La Spezia and drop your car there. Arezzo to San Gimignano to La Spezia is a bit over 3 1/2 hours, not including stops. Florence, Siena or San Gimignano are 3 to 4 hours with multiple trains. La Spezia to Vernazza is a quick hop. We did Vernazza to Siena last year and it was not a fun trip. So crowded we had to stand up for 2 of 4 segments, and that was in shoulder season! There's a lot of info online. You might start here http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/driving/parking.htm and look for more articles on the Slow Travel website. Be sure to get an International Drivers Permit for all drivers.
Posted by
Pleasanton, California, USA
19 posts
I just returned from Lucca and drove from Levanto to Lucca. I agree with the previous post. I would drive to La Spezia. It is an easy drive on the Autostrada and will be much faster. Your biggest concern will be getting from one town to the next in Tuscany. It can take a very long time on very small roads. You will need to plan your sightseeing that day so that you will be able to see the town that you choose and then get back to the Autostrada and off to La Spezia. I would plan your route on viamichelin.com. Do not rely on GPS to get from town to town in Tuscany. San Gigminano looks like it is quite a long way from Poppi. You would need to get an early start. It is beautiful though. Probably the most unique place I saw in Italy. I wouldn't plan to see more than one town unless they are very small or very close together.