Florence/CT/Tuscany Lodging/Wine tour suggestions appreciated!

not sure how big of an apartment you need. We stayed in this apartment in Florence and loved it. So close to everything, a view of the Duomo.
https://www.vrbo.com/699409?utm_campaign=VRBO_TRV_RES_HASC_replyReservationBlank_PPS&utm_content=propid_text_o_lprop&utm_term=20150819&utm_source=SYS&utm_medium=email

We stayed in Lucca and took day trip to CT.

hey texas girl
what are your dates and how long do you plan to stay in each place? will you have a car or only by public transportation. if driving all drivers will need an IDP and be careful of ZTL's
cross-pollinate.com check all available and read fine print. your arrival and departures times are important if early checkin and departing later, if they have luggage hold. cash euros on arrival (do a "dummy" booking, find a place book now and reservation and summary comes up), shared bathroom, what floor (elevator/steps to carry bags). we always carry a corkscrew with us.
casarabatti.com (minimum day stay)
cookly.me different cooking classes in florence
cucina-italiana.com is a cooking school with chef paolo and has accomodations in lucca.
check luccatours.com for intro to city, extravirginlucca.com, come&seeitaly.com has tours listed, if staying in lucca, apartmentslucca.com stay within walls, take a train to CT for the day, dapasquale-lucca for a meal, frattoriaaldotto.it a winery in lucca.
booking.com has places available in chianti
panzano in chianti, take the train from florence. check out the famous butcher dariocecchini.com and his butcher shop and restaurant, maybe stay in the town.
lots of choices. hope this racks your brain along with what others have to say. enjoy and have fun. aloha

Hi Texas Girl,

I would suggest staying in /near Montepulciano. It's a wonderful hilltop town in the heart of wine country. The restaurants and shops are amazing – and yes, there is Gelato!

I have been there multiple times and here are my suggestions:

Accommodation Suggestions (personally stayed at both):
- Charming Homes (https://www.charminghomemontepulciano.com/en/) – Fantastic apartments in town
- Fonte Martino Guest House (https://www.fontemartino.com) – Just outside of town, but amazing!

Dining Suggestions (ate at all of them…multiple times!):
- L'Altro Cantuccio (http://www.laltrocantuccio.it/) – amazing food, service, and atmosphere
- Pane, Vino, & Zucchero – again, amazing food, but more of a local feel.
- La Grotta (http://www.lagrottamontepulciano.it/intro.php) – excellent food, but a high-end restaurant
- Pulcino's – excellent food popular with locals and tour busses alike.

Tour Suggestion:
-Ciao Fabry Tours (http://www.ciaofabrytours.com/) Fabrizio is amazing and can create a custom tour (what we did) so you see what you want to see.

Hope this helps – have a wonderful trip!
-TJ

We have spent a lot of time in the Chianti region. Look at Castellina, Panzano, Greve, and Radda. Beautiful area.
For cooking classes check out www.divinacucina.com

Thanks to everyone for all your advice and suggestions! So much to see and experience-already decided we will have to come back!

So, here's what I have come up with...3 nights in Florence(get over jet lag, etc) staying at Airbnb, train to CT, 3 nights Airbnb in Montorosso al Mare, rent car in La Spezia...drive around stopping various places...

2 nights in San Gimignano at Hotel Leon Bianco...after much consideration, we decided this trip we wanted to experience the "in the walls after the crowds leave" experience. Next trip love to stay in Vineyard!

My husband is concerned also about wine tasting and driving. We won't have that much time...want to see Volterra but also looking at 2 Vineyards for wine tasting/appetizers or lunch in walking distance of San G - Guardastelle Vineyard and Podere La Marronaia...not sure where time best spent. Thoughts?

Then, we leave for 3 nights in Montepulciano, staying in walls at Vicolo dell' Oste. Hope to drive around area...see other towns, Cortona, Pienza, Montalcino (?) should I schedule another vineyard...need I be concerned about driving? Suggestions/ advice?

Then, 1 night in Orvieto at Valentina B&B, return car...train to Rome, spend night at Rome Hilton for early flight home.

I am excited and just don't want to rush but savor and enjoy the experience with a couple of exciting fun, scheduled things thrown in...we will be back!
Any thoughts/suggestions appreciated!

Since you want to visit Volterra, do that as a stop on your way from La Spezia to San Gimignano.
It's under a 2 hour drive, freeing your next day to do the 2 wineries.

In Montepulciano, there are numerous wine bars to sample and many wineries within a half hour of town. Ask your lodging for recommendations.
Maybe hitting them on your way back from your day trips.