Staying in Florence for 4 nights with my husband and adult children ages 20 and 22. We have a car for the day and can make our own itinerary. Everyone excited to leave the city for one long day and walk and hike and see Tuscan countryside. We are into outdoors and walking and history and less into wine/drinking -- though visiting a vineyard is fine as part of the experience, no one drinks wine except me. Looking to see some of the beautiful towns and thinking of following the popular Montalcino, Pienza, Montepulciano route before returning to Florence in the evening. Looking to visit a villa/estate as part of the experience - or even have lunch. Villa Origo looks beautiful but a little further south...Also if Montepulciano is a the "biggest town" does it make sense to go there first, spend the most time there, and eat lunch first, visiting the other two two towns on the way back? Or we should do that last and have dinner? Any tips to avoid tour buses....Thank you!
Posted by
161 posts
Sounds like a wonderful trip! When are you going? The buses are best avoided early or late. We were there in October and it wasn't too bad, but familiarize yourself with the ZTLs, where you can't drive into the towns and where the parking lots are to avoid it.
We stayed in Montalcino and enjoyed it but the shops are very heavily wine tasting store fronts so if your group doesn't drink, you might skip it. Also, Italy is very strict on drinking and driving, (which we don't do anyway) so we used a driver to take us through this area so we could enjoy wine during lunch. We also stopped at the site where they filmed Gladiator, the whole area is so scenic and breathtaking.
We loved Pienza and Multepulciano, maybe dinner in Multepulciano? I highly recommend Podere Il Casale for lunch. They also offer a farm tour, cheese making class and pasta class. Lovely and scenic experience. Enjoy!
Posted by
Niagara, Ontario
1730 posts
A scenic route to Montalcino will take three hours or so.
Posted by
OP
5 posts
Thank you for the recommendation and good tip about Montalcino. We are feeling like we would rather explore 2 towns and have a good lunch/experience at a agritourism stop rather than try to fit 3 towns into the day. Our hotel also recommended these spots for visits / tasting / meal. But since I am the only one who will be tasting, the option for cheese or olive oil tasting would be great.
These were our hotel recommendations (We are staying at the St. Regis in Florence from May 9 - May 13). Podere il Casale looks a little less stuff than these.
Bindella winery, Tenuta La Braccesca, Azienda Agricola Poliziano, Fabbrica Pienza, Azienda Agricola Casanova di Nieri, Podere Le Ripi, Paradiso Di Cacuci.
We have a driver who will allow for any stops we like in the general Val D'Orcia region.
Posted by
martinez, ca, usa
2542 posts
hey hey lisa
trip sounds great and everyone excited about going. don't know where you're flying from but do be aware all who are driving will need an IDP (aaa.com/IDP), it is mandatory in italy, before flying "overseas" when are you planning this trip?
as sunny22 mentions, be very careful on ZTL's, laws, signs, speed and rules about driving plus where to park and cost. you don't want an envelope in the mail after you get back home with a ticket you got, happens alot. you will need both drivers license and IDP while driving
any of the "big cities/towns" will be crowded, go early morning. reading here about what to see in tuscany, many folks are in your same mindset to see the same places. we did a private tour few years back. went to private family owned winery in poggibonsi and loved it. so quiet, lovely family. then to crazy/packed to the gills san gimignano. so many tour buses/tour vans/private cars, "shopping walkway" couldn't even get into stores plus long line to pay, gelato shop outside was just as bad, we wanted outta there. that's my own opinion, others feel different.
go the opposite way, so many other gorgeous towns/villages and farms/agriturisimos to view with less crowds.
pratoturismo.it
visitpistoia.eu
visittuscany.com/ pistoia and prato
down the road are thermal baths/hot springs to relax after your long day. montecatini terme, calidario.it
while in florence since you like wine check out:
educated-traveller.com/ wine windows of florence
paintandwineflorence.it
eatingarounditaly.com favorite pastry shops in florence
these are my own thoughts, just offering other options for you. have a fabulous trip and enjoy
aloha
Posted by
OP
5 posts
Thank you! We are not driving - our hotel is providing a driver so we are all set there.
Posted by
martinez, ca, usa
2542 posts
hey hey lisa
thanks, didn't read about your driver, went right by me a like a lead balloon. LOL
your kids will have a great time.
aloha
Posted by
Vignola, Modena, Italy
582 posts
Some very scenic places for stops and visits: San Galgano (where there is the famous sword in the rock), Sant'Antimo (one of my favorite church in Italy) , Bagni San Filippo (hot springs), Montalcino and San Quirico d'Orcia of course.
A suggestion: check even if there are events, festivals and feasts in the area when you will be there.