Hello everyone,
Our family, 2 adults and 1 teenager, is driving from Florence and staying just outside of Montepulicano at Villa Ciccolina. We pick our rental car up at 10 am on a Monday and check in is not until 3 pm. We have dinner arranged at the hotel for 7 pm the night of arrival.
I am looking at routes to drive and there are several options: 1. Drive the A1 Autostrada for a quick trip, 2. Take the highway through Greve in Chianti and Castellina in Chianti, 3. Take the Firenze-Sienna Autostradale. My questions for the group are: 1. Is there a preferred route to travel? 2. Should we plan to stop for lunch along the way and go slow or just a break along the way and the go to Montepulciano for lunch after dropping our bags? Thanks in advance for any info!
Posted by
Coquitlam
281 posts
This is a personal choice. I would drive via Greve as you will find it more scenic than the Autostrada. Travel along SR222. It is slower, but offers many opportunities to stop and explore small towns. One of our favourite experiences was coming across a market in a small town, stopping and wandering for bit. Might not be a teenagers thing.
If it fits, stop at Dario’s in Panzano for lunch.
There are alternatives along the way, depending on your preferences such as Sienna. It would be a quick stop that may not do it justice. Another city is Volterra, but it is a bit of a detour.
I would look at a map and plan to visit one city on the way. Guidebooks could offer suggestions.
Remember get an international driver permit and have a great trip.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
17906 posts
Drive the SR222 (Via Chiantigiana). It's a beautiful drive with plenty of restaurant opportunities. It's a premier wine region (Chianti Hills) with beautiful landscapes). You probably don't have time to see much of Siena. The drive on the SR222 to Siena is about 2 hours (assuming no pit stops), then Montepulciano is another hour further than Siena.
Actually after Castellina I'd get out of the SR222 and head down to Badesse to the freeway (Siena-Florence) and proceed to Montepulciano. You could also swing by Monteriggioni, which is just a short backtrack from Badesse. Basically once you reach the freeway in Badesse, instead of going south toward Siena and eventually Montepulciano, you head north toward Florence, but the Monteriggioni exit is only one exit north of Badesse. Exit the freeway, head up to Monteriggioni, visit the walled village for a little, then get back to the freeway and drive about one hour + to Montepulciano.
Posted by
OP
Texas
2 posts
Hello Bob and Roberto,
Thanks very much for the info. Sounds like we will be taking the SR222. I was wondering about Monteriggioni so that is helpful to know! We will plan to see it. My wife and I both have the international permits. I appreciate the reminder (put them in the bags today!) I find this forum very helpful and recognize both your names. Thanks for the help!
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
17906 posts
Learn the International Road Signage system
Read about the ZTL (Limited Traffic Zone)
Make sure you use Waze to warn you about speed and street light Cameras