Hello
There’s an old post that’s now closed (see below) with this title and I wanted to see if other people now have more to add about a recommended route. Google shows a few options for the drive... one is slightly south with the options to stop at Siena and/or San Gimignano... another is more east then south... seems like could be more scenic. Any recommendations would be welcomed especially for ‘off the beaten’ sites. We will be staying in Volterra thus San Gimignano seems like it will be a similar look. THANK YOU!
PS - and recommended winery’s in that general area - especially small ones - would be welcomed.
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/driving-from-florence-to-volterra
We will be picking up a car in Florence and driving to Volterra. A quick look at Google maps shows two suggested routes (actually three but the third one is way longer).
The first route is down the main highway racccordo autostradale turning off at the SR68 just south of Poggibonsi and heading west.
The second route heads west on the SGC Florence/Pisa/Livorno road, then heads south just after Empoli and winds along several different roads, entering Volterra from the north west.
The second route is only 8 more km than the first route, and says it only takes about 12 minutes more (though I am a bit skeptical as these look like smaller roads).
Anyway, i am just curious as to whether those of you with experience think this second route is more scenic, or has any advantages over the shorter, more obvious route