Help getting from San Gimignano to Paris

Due to the current fuel shortage in France and the typically high cost of renting a car in one country and dropping it off in another, I would travel by train! Turin and Lyon would be great stopover cities.

are you familiar with the issues around getting fuel in France?

Have a read of this current thread, and plan ahead. https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/france/gas-shortage

If you drive through Switzerland, be prepared for overnight closures of the Gotthard Tunnel, and you will need to buy a Vignette (CHF40). Does each driver have their IDP?

Florence via Milan to Basel or Luzern seems a good first day.

A walk to Barga? I have only taken the train. How did you access that walk from Lucca?

Renting a car in Italy and dropping it off in France will result in a substantial drop off fee so that would not be my recommendation. If you want a RS guide book for help and suggestions as to what to see, you can get one online through IBooks or Kindle. As others have suggested, travel by train or bus would be your best bet. The website rome2rio is very helpful in getting from point a to point b.

In answer to the question how did we get to Barga, Our tour group provided mini bus that drove us from Lucca, with a stop at the “Devil’s Bridge,” to a trail head on the outskirts of Barga. We descended into a valley and arose into Barga and up and up to the church at the very top of the town where we enjoyed a stunning Mountain View . Then we had a delightful long local lunch before departing. I believe the days hike with somewhere around 6 to 8 miles.

I’m sorry you got sick and had to leave your guided tour. I hope you recover soon and can get back to your plans.

Have you been to France previously?

If so, where?

If not, you have many options to consider, here are a few:

• consider flying to Nice, Lyon, or Geneva, spending a couple of days around the area, then traveling to Paris for a few more days prior to flying home.

• If you fly to Nice you could spend some time in Provence prior to heading to Paris.

• If you fly to Geneva, you could visit Chamonix and Annecy prior to Paris.

• If you fly to Lyon, then split your time there and Paris.

• If this is your first time in Paris, you may consider flying directly there and enjoy walking all around this beautiful city, or add a couple of day trips.

Wishing you a quick recovery!

Change of plans: and for the reasons expressed in your replies, as a drive north through the mountains to Paris seems il fated, we will skip Paris, and fly home from Rome, taking full advantage of our time in Italy. but departing from Rome at 12:30 pm October 22nd.

I am not clear on whether it is best for us to go first to Florence and then turn south by train, or go find a way first to sienna and some other towns not on the train route? Any suggestions? We have a week and a day to see the rest of Italy. And which Rick Steves guide should I download?

Gratefully, Bruce

Bruce,

I am not clear on whether it is best for us to go first to Florence and then turn south by train, or go find a way first to sienna and some other towns not on the train route? Any suggestions? We have a week and a day to see the rest of Italy.

There’s a direct bus to Siena from San Gimignano. I took this bus in reverse a few years ago.
Here’s the website you’ll need to check schedules and book your tickets: at bus.it

Do you plan to spend a couple of days in Siena and then head south to Rome, or do you want another stop along the way?

If you want to visit a beautiful hill town with a majestic cathedral, do consider going to Orvieto, easily accessible by train from Siena.

Check train schedules here: Trenitalia.com

I’d suggest downloading RS Best of Italy guidebook.

Bruce,
Since you’ve decided to continue traveling in Italy. I’d suggest starting a new thread and you’ll probably get many helpful suggestions.

You could spend all your remaining time in Rome, or a day or two in Siena and then the rest in Rome, so you don't really need another stop. However, I am a big fan of Orvieto for its beauty and its sights. It isn't your typical hill town that doesn't have much to do except spend a short time walking the cute streets. Rick covers Orvieto in his guide to Italy. For reasons I do not understand, Orvieto isn't covered in the guide to Rome (although Naples is). Amazon has both books in electronic versions; I'd go with "Italy".