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itinerary advice for Tuscany

I'm not a fan of one night stays but considering what we want to see in Tuscany with the time we have, I'm wondering if it may be worth it in this case. I have a plan A and a plan B, and would appreciate some feedback.

After a series of 3-4 night stays in Venice, Florence and the CT, we'll be getting the train from La Spezia to Pisa where we'll pick up a rental car. We'll see the biggies in Pisa, then drive to Volterra, take a city tour and sleep there. Next day we'll stop in San Gimignano then drive to an agriturismo between Siena and Montalcino or between Montalcino and Pienza.

Plan A: Spend 4 nights in the agriturismo. During that time we'd spend a day in Siena, a day doing Rick's "Heart of Tuscany" drive, and a long day travelling to/from and seeing Assisi.

Plan B: Spend 3 nights in the agriturismo, and the fourth night in Assisi. I'm concerned that trying to do Assisi in one day (in July) with travel time would be too much.

Regardless of which option we choose, at the end of the Tuscany leg, we'll have one night in Orvieto (where we'll drop off the car) before continuing to Sorrento for 3 nights.

Any advice is much appreciated!

Kerri

Posted by
3551 posts

Plan A is the best idea. I have done an itin sim to u, and stayed in Assisi but stayed 3 nights. See the highlights ofvAsissi then get back to tuscany.
I loved Assisi but with your itin it is best to have one base..

Posted by
7175 posts

Plan C
Spend 3 nights at the agriturismo, then head direct to Orvieto for 2 nights. Visit Assisi as a day trip from Orvieto.

Posted by
11613 posts

A night in Assisi in July is a great idea, day trippers will have departed, the stone turns pink-gold if you have a great sunset, and things slow down (as they should).

Posted by
1825 posts

I don't mind a one night stay if I am driving. Hilltowns are best after the day trippers leave so I prefer to stay in town and not drive at night. Assisi seems like a long day of driving to see one town although it seems worth it for many. Not having been I wonder if it is worth the drive compared to many towns that are closer?

Posted by
111 posts

Wow - all good suggestions, and a plan C! Not sure if I'm any closer to a decision but I'll take all the advice I can get.

Posted by
28463 posts

Richard, in addition to the fabulous basilica (I'm speaking aesthetically; I'm not religious), Assisi has a different look from the other hill towns I've visited. I do think it is very worthwhile. I was a bit surprised how much I enjoyed my off-the-tourist path rambles there, and I had to cram it all into a day trip.

Posted by
111 posts

Plan A is off the table. I'm down to Plans B, C (thanks David!) and now D: 3 nights in the agriturismo, straight to Orvieto for 1 night then to Assisi for 1 night, thus eliminating the longer drive from Tuscany to Assisi via Cortona. I like the idea of seeing how Assisi changes at night. Ideas?

Posted by
7175 posts

Go with the x2 one night stays.
If you are an organised traveller then it's not a real drain when you are travelling by car.
An evening in a different town, different hotel, different sheets, different piazza, different aperitif, same partner !!