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Critique Our Val d' Orcia Drive Plan

So here's what we came up with to basically start to plan a day long driving trip from San Gimignano to Val d'Orcia. We are NOT stopping in Siena (we have a whole other day planned for that).

We are focusing on visits as indicated and pictures. We are going to get a very early start out of San Gimi.

Should be a jam-packed day but Google Maps has it at about 6 hours of driving total so we figured add in another 6-7 hours to this for the visits and what not - now that I say that - it looks a little doubtful....hehehe...any help?

Leave San Gimignano
Through (Pass) Siena (no stop)
SR2 To Montalcino (Visit)
SP 55 Montalcino to S. Antimo (Visit)
Across (West) to SR 117 back North to Montalcino
East SR2 through San Querico then South on SR2 to Bagno Vignoni (Visit)
East SP 53 to SP 40 past the Reserve to Chianciano Terme
SP146 North to Bivio di San Biagio (Visit)
S West To Monticchiello (Visit)
S West and then North to Pienza (long visit)
West To San Querico
Back North to San Gimignano

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372 posts

Linda

Your plan sounds very ambitious at the least, it also sounds too busy. Val d'Orcia is beautiful and filled with vistas to appreciate, not rush through. The roads are curvy and driving time is always much more than expected. You should also pull over at a winery or fruit stand and enjoy being in the area, this is the heart of the Brunello wine region.
This plan also does not allow for finding parking space and walking from parking areas. These are ancient towns and sometimes the parking lots are 10-15 minutes outside of town when you finally find a spot. I would limit my day to 2 or 3 towns at the most, we loved Montalcino and weren't impressed with Pienza at all.
Good luck with your decision and trip