We are taking a Viking cruise with a pre trip excursion in Tuscany that covers Florence,Siena & San Gimignano. Our cruise also has several includes Pisa, Rome, Naples, and Venice. We would like to go over 4 or 5 days early ( Florence), rent a car, and stay in small towns and villages where we could eat in small local places, shop in small local stores, maybe take a cooking class ( some air bnb's have connections I guess) and just enjoy living somewhat like a local. Historic buildings, churches, art, etc are not as important as we will be having plenty of that on the cruise tour. Any suggestions would be most welcome...we are just thinking a night or 2 in maybe 3 places. Thank you so much!
Posted by
Rural Georgia
2212 posts
Stay in one place and venture out from there. I’m assuming you’ve bought your VRC tickets? You’ll find it the antithesis of what you are asking about here.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Yes, we have done Viking before and know what to expect but that is exactly why I am hoping to get some advice here and why we are going earlier....to have the opposite of that experience.
Posted by
Rural Georgia
2212 posts
OK, just checking. With that little time, as I mentioned, stay in one place so you don’t waste time moving. Radda has a BnB on the edge of town. Greve or Castellina are other options.
Have a great trip!
Posted by
11651 posts
Good advice from poster above. I would add Panzano and Pienza. If you have been on a cruise you know what that experience will be like, surface views. It is good that you want to experience Italy in more depth.
Posted by
76 posts
When we go to Tuscany, we stay in a Relais in a "suburb" of Florence. Two advantages: 1) it is an authentic, working town as is the Relais...it is a working olive oil and wine making operation...and 2) you can take the bus into Florence and not have to worry about parking!!
https://www.relaisvillaolmo.com/
It is also a short distance from Greve and easy drive to Panzano, San Gimignano, Siena, etc.
I support the recommendation that you stay in one place and drive where you want to go from there.
Read Bill Buford's book HEAT before you go. You will enjoy some of these places even more!
Posted by
OP
3 posts
I am writing these down and researching as soon as I see them....getting so excited...how would we find an opportunity to take a cooking class or demo..any suggestions?
Our cruise will include a comprehensive? overview of Florence ( several hour walking tour)
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
4657 posts
If art matters do your own visit to see any choice of David's and the Uffizi.
Posted by
Portland, OR
83 posts
I'm going to suggest my favorite town - Montepulciano. It's smaller than Florence and Siena, but large enough to have some great shops, art galleries, fantastic restaurants, and a wonderful arts scene. Montepulciano is a very authentic town that does not disappoint.
For excellent places to stay, I would suggest:
- Charming Homes (https://www.charminghomemontepulciano.com). These are great apartments for rent that are very comfortable and located in town.
- Fonte Martino (https://www.fontemartino.com/). This is a fantastic boutique B&B located in the countryside just 5 minutes from town.
If you decide to go to Montepulciano, the hosts above should be able to arrange a cooking class for you.
Have a wonderful trip!!!
Posted by
Houston, TX
17 posts
While in Tuscany, one of my favorite things we did was a cooking class with Osteria di Passignano! It is pricey, but the food and wine are worth it! You prepare typical Tuscan dishes, get a tour of the Abbey and wine cellar and then have lunch - chefs prepare what you did earlier that morning. We still talk about that cooking class and the food!