Heres what I am thinking...please tell me what is wrong or right with my thinking...Ten days, not including travel days. 7 days in Tuscany staying near San Gimignano and 3 days Rome.
We want to visit Siena, Pienza, Monatcino, Montepulciano areas, and a day trip to Florence. I fell in love with a place near San G. Is it too far out of the way or long winding road to considering basing near San G to explore the above areas? I know most people think it crazy to do just one day in Florence, but want to explore with the thought of going back on another trip to really do it right if we love it. Heres more crazy thinking...driving to Spezo (sp?) and taking train to CT for one day-with the same thought of seeing if it is someplace we want to return to..if we did this I would probably take one day away from Rome. We are going in July and I keep having flashbacks of being at Disneyland in the middle of summer with the crowds and the heat or Paris at the Louve and standing 5 deep in front of the Mona Lisa. I would rather enjoy Rome in off season and stay longer in CT when not so crowded. I know what the guide books say but would love to hear from some of you that have actually been there and driven on the roads. Grazie
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32213 posts
Dianna,
I have a few thoughts on your question, but would need some time to consider the best options.
To begin with, to access the Cinque Terre you'll need to travel to La Spezia and take the local train from there. You could certainly go there for one day, but it will likely be hot and crowded in July.
Seven days is not a long time to cover the areas you want to see. Keep in mind that you'll need to allow adequate travel times to and from Rome. Travel by train would be faster and more efficient.
I'd suggest taking the train to Florence also, as you DON'T want to risk the ZTL zones in the city and receive several €100+ violation notices a few months after you get home.
Hopefully the others will have some more definite suggestions.
Good luck!
Posted by
Eugene, Oregon
133 posts
We spent 6 days in Tuscany and did a one day trip to Florence which for us was fine. We loved exploring Tuscany with a car. We spent 2 separate days in the Cinque Terre and loved it there as well, but I wouldn't want to stay for just a day, and I would not take a day away from Rome to do that.
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
Diana, the idea of a week in Tuscany is just great. I would suggest renting a car there to travel to all of the places that you wish to visit in Tuscany (except Florence). You could even reach a bit into Umbria a drive to Perugia and Assisi. Lovely stuff.
For your 1-day visit to Florence, don't drive the rental car. Instead take the SITA bus from the Siena city wall to a depot near the Florence main train station. You will not find parking in Florence and you have great chances of entering a ZTL and picking up the ticket mentioned by Ken above. Just don't drive there.
For the CT, take the train from Siena as there is no train station in San G. You will not find parking in the CT and with few exceptions, tourist cars are not permitted in the 5 towns.
Finally, drive to Orvietto to turn in your rental car. Then, hop on the train for a 1-hr ride into Rome. Once in Rome, the public transportation is great.
July will be hot and as Ken says above, the CT will be as crowded as Disneyland. You won't believe it.