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Itinerary Tweaks

With much of a 3 week trip set, I am looking for input as we complete our itinerary. After several nights in Switzerland, my husband and I will have 14 nights in Italy to explore Cinque Terre, Umbria and Tuscany. We enjoy experiencing our surroundings; the scenery, locals, regional cuisine with moderate interest in history and art. Know that we have decided to save Rome for another trip - aside from the afternoon/evening before our AM flight home.

  • First stop: Cinque Terre, 2 nights (reserved)
  • 7 TBD: shared between Florence and Umbria, or ?
  • Last: 4 nights at an agriturismo near Pienza (reserved)
  • Drop car in Orvieto en-route to Rome for last night

Tentative plan is to base in Florence (no car) for 4 nights with day trips to Siena and Lucca. Also hoping to take in an Italian soccer match which may mean another day trip from Florence (awaiting new season schedules). That leaves 3 nights open for ?, or Umbria. With so many towns to choose from - I would love to consider suggestions offered on this forum. Your shared experiences and ideas are much appreciated! Cheers

Posted by
11153 posts

Tuscany is large and you’ll already be there. Why not explore more of Tuscany this trip?
You could choose a village in the Chianti region as a contrast to Pienza. Or stay in Siena.
If you want to drive over to Umbria, Spello is a beautiful hill town well located to visit other villages like Montefalco and Bevegna. Assisi is not far either. Spello has a lot of good dining options too.

Posted by
3551 posts

Visit San Gimignano, Siena , montepulciano I’d u can. All nr Pienza.

Posted by
17 posts

Just so happens the dates in question are October 2-5, coinciding with Assisi's Feast of Saint Francis. Since Assisi is one of the towns we are strongly considering, any thoughts on staying there vs. Spello? Or, if we can't find lodging... alternatives?

Posted by
2109 posts

I suggest you stay at the FCO Hilton your last afternoon evening if you have a morning flight. They have a free shuttle into Rome and back. We spent our last evening on a Walks of Italy Evening Stroll, which was great. It finished in plenty of time for us to catch the 10:00 shuttle back to the Hilton. We then took the free shuttle to our terminal the next morning.

Posted by
1034 posts

Umbria is well worth any time you can give it. I didn't get to Assisi, sadly, but Todi, Spello, Bevagna, Amelia, and many other hill towns are wonderful. If you can possibly squeeze it in, Gusto Wine Tours is a fabulous way to spend a day. They are based near Montefalco, which would be another great option for a place to stay.

Posted by
3112 posts

During your 4 nights/3 full days in Florence, you're planning 3 day trips. Are you just using Florence as a transportation base and have little interest in seeing the city itself? If that's not the case, you might consider either adding more time to Florence or including your Siena and/or Lucca day trips as part of your Tuscan countryside stay.

Posted by
17 posts

Thank you all. We have decided on Spello for 3 nights. Perhaps we will visit Lucca on the day we train from CT to Florence. Now that we have home bases set we will more thoroughly research local sites and day trip options. Undoubtedly we will come home with a list of places for "next time"!