Driving tips between Cortona and Florence

I'm assuming you plan to devote much of the day to the drive from Cortona to Florence, as the most direct route is mostly expressway. A good route on secondary roads might be to stop in Arezzo (medium size but beautiful and very worthwhile) and then drive up through Chianti, perhaps stopping in Panzano and/or Greve. A longer driving route would be via Montepulciano and Pienza (possibly also Montalcino), then north past Siena to Florence, or you could double-back to the expressway after visiting those towns. Chiusi is yet another option for Etruscan sights. While a detour to the south, it is convenient to the expressway. The driver should be very careful about driving after wine tastings as the legal alcohol limit is very low.

Thanks Frank

Appreciate the thoughtful response!

Mike
DC

You don't say how long you're planning for this drive to take so it's hard to say. I agree with Arezzo as a stop, I enjoyed a couple of hours there many years ago. The actual drive between Florence and Cortona is only 2 hrs or less, depending on traffic and road conditions. I don't know what your plans are from Florence but you could detour and go from Cortona to Siena and then to Florence, but if you're planning on visiting Siena either as a day trip or after your time in Florence that wouldn't make sense.

I enjoyed walking through and having lunch in Colle Val d-Elsa which is a small, quaint and non-touristy walled town outside of Sienna. Enjoy Cortona--I loved my time there.

Lucignano, which is unusual in its layout, and Loro Ciuffenna should take up most of your day if you stick to the back roads.

If you head east first instead, Sansepolcro is worth a visit (flat) and Anghiari is a very attractive village.

Arezzo had major roadworks going on when we were there. It seemed terribly busy so we gave it a miss.