Arriving in Rome on Sept. 9th taking train to Venice for 2 nights then train to Florence for 2 nights. Still looking for a triple room for Sept. 11 & 12 (do not want a roll away as a bed) in Florence. Would like to keep price around $200 per night, any suggestions. We plan on renting a car in Florence and driving south toward Rome. Would like some help or suggestions on the best route or ideas for towns to visit. We are thinking of driving to San Gimignano early afternoon on 13th and then to Volterra and spend the night. After visiting Volterra in the morning driving to Montalcino (still need to find a triple room for 2 nights) We are planning on visiting San Galgano Monastery, Abbey of Sant' Antimo and towns around Montalcino. On 16th will drive to Orvietto leave car (hertz) or drive into Rome for 4 nights. Does this sound like a reasonable plan or do you have other suggestions We have been to Siena and plan to skip it. Thanks
Posted by
Rural Georgia
2182 posts
Do you want to take the entire afternoon from Volterra to Montalcino?
I know it would be backtracking, but I suggest you drive back to Greve and catch the Chiantigiana Road (SR222). It's a lovely drive from Greve to Siena. Once at Siena, you can take country roads down to Montalcino.
Posted by
872 posts
Read this about driving in Italy and restrictions involved [ZTLs]; avoid leaving anything of value in a car when parked:
http://driventoit.blogspot.com/
Hertz in Orviero gets bad reviews. Drop your Hertz rental in in Chiusi [closed Sunday]. If you only have 2 nights, a full day, I suggest you stay in one location.
Posted by
OP
29 posts
What are the problems with dropping the car in Orvietto?
Posted by
OP
29 posts
We have 3 nights between Florence and Rome. Should we skip Volterra and/ or S.G. in order to drive 222? Or will we have time work them all into schedule.
Posted by
New Orleans
1215 posts
Re. a triple room in Florence: take a look at Hotel Casci, both on its own website and on booking.com. Nice little hotel, great location. Three twin beds in the triple (I've stayed in a triple). It looks to be $220/night though.
Posted by
OP
29 posts
Tks
booked the hotel. Hope the location is easy walking to sites. Can we walk from train station or get a taxi?
Posted by
New Orleans
1215 posts
Take a look at a good Florence map. I've done the walk from the Florence train station to and from Hotel Casci at least 4 times. Pulling a rolling bag (so going a bit slowly), it takes me a leisurely 12-15 minutes. Take note that the sidewalks are quite narrow in some blocks, but the city is completely flat in the center of town, so I find it quite doable. If you are "fresh off the boat" tho and tired, I understand that taxis are quite reasonable as the distance is really only about half a mile.