We are heading into Tuscany for four nights from Florence and back to Florence to return the car on day 5 in the morning. We are looking at the following places - Day 1 Siena (4-5 hours) before heading to stay near Pienza Day 2 visit Pienza and Montepulciano. Day 3 head over to Cascate del Mulino, Montemerano, Pitigliano. Is there anything you would add in and is there any suggestions for day 4? We are in Florence at the moment and heading there in 2 days so really need help to work this out - thank you in advance.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
17949 posts
Where are you staying overnight?
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Not booked yet, that is why I’m panicking. Was thinking around Pienza for 2 nights and then another two nights in a different destination.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
17949 posts
First day en route to Siena you could take the SR222 Via Chiantigiana (Chianti Road). Takes almost 2 hours without pit stops, so double the time since I am sure you will stop even just for photos.
Try to be in Siena at least half day to see the main Piazza del Campo, the Duomo, and maybe the Museo Civico inside the Palazzo Publico, on Piazza del Campo. The Museum closes at 7pm but last entry is at 6pm, so do that first.
After Siena drive to the accommodations near Montepulciano/Pienza. Stay the first two nights there. The next day visit Montepulciano, Pianza, Monticchiello. I don’t know if you have time for more, but in that area there is also Montalcino, Bagno Vignoni, San Quirico, Buonconvento, if you have time.
After the second night head to Saturnia for two nights. While there you can visit Pitigliano, Montemerano, Cascate del Mulino, maybe Sorana and Sovano (on the way to Pitigliano). It’s probably too much for one day, so you might have to make choices.
I can’t suggest places to stay in Montepulciano because it’s close enough to my country house near Arezzo, so I usually visit on day trips. Saturnia is in Maremma, so considerably further down in southern Tuscany (probably over 2 hours from Pienza). I’ve stayed in several places in Maremma, but the place I liked the best in Saturnia was this:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/FngMwKysqrhhowYA6?g_st=ic
When there I liked this nearby restaurant for traditional Maremma cuisine.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Uo4fK914mv8sQtZn7?g_st=ic
The hotel above has a restaurant also, where they serve the free breakfast. It’s a bit fancy and they prepare a more innovative Maremma cuisine at lunch and dinner, but I usually prefer traditional food. I have enough of those innovative dishes that please the eye but don’t fill the stomach.
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
9448 posts
I suggest you look immediately for lodgings before making any further plans
Finding a place just 2 days from now near Pienza or anywhere in that area with parking is going to be a problem
Do you have your IDP? Required by law and rental agencies can/do ask
They can deny the rental if you don’t have
Make sure you understand ZTL restrictions and how to get out of Florence safely (without violations)
Try these
https://www.a440intuscany.com/
https://www.hotelcorsignano.it/
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
17949 posts
To add to Christine’s, make sure you know the rules of the road in Italy:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Road_signs_in_Italy
https://www.autoeurope.com/italy-ztl-zones/
And use Waze as your navigator as it is the best to warn you about police road checks hidden speed cameras (ubiquitous in Italy)
I hope you got your International Driving Permit before you left. It’s mandatory in Italy (rarely requested by the rental agent but required in case of police stop. The fine is 408€ for not carrying one).