Florence Airport to Greve in Chianti to Siena Agriturismo

Is this your first day upon landing from an overnight flight from the US? I would absolutely not do this much driving while jetlagged. Could you not wend your way through these towns on the way back to Florence at the end of your stay at the Siena Agriturismo?

Also, you are only allowing 90 minutes from the moment of your car pickup to arrival in Greve in Chianti. You may be waiting in line for half an hour or more at the rental car location. There may be traffic delays leaving the metropolitan area of Florence.

There is no substantial difference in scenicness in different itineraries between the airport and Verrazzano. I would drive the shortest, that is: drive the motorway direction Roma, get out at the second exit (Impruneta, small toll to be paid, have euros ready), turn immediately right into the motorway to Siena. Get out at the very first exit (Impruneta/Greve) and drive direction Siena on SR2. You are now by the US War Cemetery, that is a piece of New England landscape in Tuscany, but not particularly scenic views otherwise. At the first bifurcation, drive left to Ferrone and then direction Greve through Passo dei Pecorai. You join SR222 shortly before turning right to Verrazzano.

Of the localities you name, Poggibonsi is the least interesting one and Monteriggioni (tiny village encircled by medieval walls) the most interesting. The trouble is, once you are in Greve and driving the SR222 to Siena, Monteriggioni is a detour from the main route. All the roads in the area but the main motorways are endlessly windy, do not plan to drive much more than 50 kms (30 miles) per hour.

A1/E35 https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Florence+Airport,+Peretola,+Via+del+Termine,+11,+50127+Firenze+FI,+Italy/Greve+in+Chianti,+Metropolitan+City+of+Florence,+Italy/@43.6957083,11.0990891,11z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m13!4m12!1m5!1m1!1s0x132a5700d9c8c257:0xf212e4766dd926b2!2m2!1d11.2012247!2d43.8086534!1m5!1m1!1s0x132a4b16f30a3641:0x1a9d3563d136c85e!2m2!1d11.3186815!2d43.5830644

The most scenic part of SR22 is from Greve south, which you plan to hit later when driving to your agriturismo.

If you have reservations at Verrazzano, you need to take the fastest route there. Your schedule is tight but do-able. Since there is the festival in Greve, be prepared to alter your plans if it is crowded.

People react to jet lag differently. When we went to Tuscany, we immediately left from the Rome airport and drove to Verrazzano. We checked in and went to dinner in Greve. We were tired, but fine. I think the key to adjustment is to stay active.

It sounds like a great trip. Tell Marco at Verrazzano hello for us!

epltd, lachera, DougMac!

Thank you all for responding so promptly!

Epltd:
-Nope, this would be my 5th day in Italy. :) Hopefully the jetlag is long gone. And im from Singapore! (do let me know if you guys decide to venture here! will give you the Rick Steves equivalent advice :)
-Unfortunately, my way back to Florence airport is early in the morning at 08:30am on the 12th. So i wouldnt be able to do it.
- With regards to heading to Greve in Chianti - its more of a "on the way stop" before lunch at Castello di Verazzano which begins at 12. So if i can make it..i can make it.if not...its ok :)

lachera:
Thanks for the directional tips! That was just what i needed!
Will skip Poggibonsi then. So if i had to perhaps just choose 1 or at most 2 places from the listed list? Which would you choose?

DougMac:
Thank you for that advice! The Chianti Classico festival at Greve in Chianti is a "good to go" but not absolutely must. Will head to Verrazzano if Greve in chianti is crowded. Oh i believe you recommended me Verrazzano!!! So excited to have lunch there. Was initially planning on staying there and having their friday farm dinner, but my family's itinerary changed and we are going to stay at a Siena Agriturismo (Via Radi Corsano 2778, 53014, Monteroni d'Arbia, Italy) which came highly recommended.
As with my question to lachera, if i had to choose just 1 or at most 2 places to visit enroute to Siena..which would it be?

Thanks friends!! I really appreciate the advice. 6 days to my flight to Italy (heading to venice first!)
LSD

As with my question to lachera, if i had to choose just 1 or at most 2 places to visit enroute to Siena..which would it be?

Just south of Greve, turn off SR222 and go to Radda. It's a charming hill town. There's plenty of parking on the road that circles the town. You just park and walk up the hill. It's teeny, it won't take more than an hour to visit. The St. Nicholas church is very interesting.

Take SR429 back to SR222 and visit Castellina. It's another charming town where you can spend as little or as much time as you'd like. Just outside of town there are some Etruscan ruins (look for the road signs). There's not much to see, but it's neat to visit.

Take the route suggested by lachera.
Castello da Verrazzano comes before Greve. I would have lunch there first then proceed to Greve. The Festa del Vino (Officially called Chianti Expo) comes really alive in the afternoon. You shouldn't drink in the morning, the morning is for cappuccino, then vino comes after noon (I don't know why Americans like to do things upside down).
From Greve to Siena is just over one hour drive. You can go to any or all of the towns in Chianti. Radda, Panzano, Castellina, are all fine, it's not going to take long to see all.
Monteriggioni is a detour. Visit it as a day trip after settling at the agriturismo in Siena. If you visit Volterra or San Gimignano on a day trip, it will be along the way to either.
Forget Poggibonsi, it's a flat big town full of industrial warehouses, although the historical center is ok.

Thanks DougMac and Roberto!!

Roberto: Many apologies for not replying to your reply to a previous post of mine. I actually just did reply you in the other post...with the exact same question...but you have already replied!
And Yes! Coffee in the Morning and Vino in the afternoon!

So its actually possible to just have a "stop and look" at Radda, Panzano and Castellina. Any particularly unique sights you would recommend?

And yes heading to San Gimi on the next day. So perhaps Monterrigoni then.

Noted about Poggibonsi!
Once again many apologies for not replying earlier!

So its actually possible to just have a "stop and look" at Radda, Panzano and Castellina. Any particularly unique sights you would recommend?

It's hard to imagine just how small Radda is. I guess the church and city hall are the most obvious things to see, but just walking the town is the attraction. There's a small tourist office that you should stop in. They can give you info on Radda's history, etc. There are a few nice shops to check. We bought a wine stopper (for display only, we never have wine left in the bottle) that has the Chianti Rooster atop.

You can visit the church, the tourist office, shop and walk from one end of Radda to the other in an hour or so.

DougMac: No wine left! Lol

Thanks so much for the prompt reply! i must say i am very excited about Verrazzano!

LSD

The 2017 Greve in Chianti wine festival runs from September 7-10 (evening only on 7th). In case you're only stopping for the wine festival, the scheduled opening time on September 9 is 11:00 am.

Hi Guys,

Just got back from Italy (well one week ago)...just wanted to convey my thanks for helping plan the trip!

I got to visit Castello Di Verazzano, Siena, Monteriggioni and San G.

All amazing!!
Cant wait to be back..thanks for the advice!
LSD