We are leaving for Italy in a few days and I am still trying to figure out how many nights and in which town. We have only 5 nights available to us for Tuscany. We will take the train into Orvieto, stay the first night there and rent a car. That leaves 4 nights, and we do want to see Florence. So, given that I must stay in Multepulciano and Sienna, should I stay 2 nights in each and miss Florence, or break it down between all three. This means more toting around of luggage and more time checking in and out of hotels.
Posted by
Mpls, MN
1005 posts
I would not add another hotel to your itinerary and would suggest seeing less and enjoying what you do see more. You could possibly do a daytrip from Sienna to Florence. We have enjoyed all of the above. We usually stay in an agriturismo for a week at a time and do our daytrips around the region. We love agriturismos!
I think sometimes when you try to see too much you end up regretting it later. We have learned to slow down and enjoy il dolce far niente--the sweetness of doing nothing! Have a good trip!
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
If you choose to be in Siena, you can take the SITA express bus right into the heart of Florence. You can also do this from Montepulciano but I haven't done this one. While most might suggest more time in Florence, you can do this in long day trip.
Whatever you do, do not drive in Florence with your car. There are restricted zones all over the city with computerized cameras. Big ticket up to a year later in the mail.
Posted by
boulder, colorado
192 posts
The less hotels you stay in the better. You have a car so you can day trip to the towns you want to see.
We stayed near Bucine (45 minutes northeast of Siena) for a week and were less than an hour from many interesting towns - Siena and Montepulciano included. If you stay in Siena, Florence is an easy day trip - though the train may be the way to go to Florence. No where to park in Florence and driving in the city is unpleasant.
Posted by
Vancouver, Canada
58 posts
Sienna is very expensive. It would probably be better as a daytrip. Do not miss out on Florence. You will need 2-3 days to see everything. Montepulciano is lovely but again you can see it in a day. We spent 1 night in Sienna and we did a daytrip to Montepulciano. I would suggest 1 night in Montepulciano or Montalcino and 3 nights in Florence with a daytrip to Sienna. We made Montalcino our base. We made daytrips to small towns and wineries from there.
Posted by
San Francisco/Marin County
9436 posts
I totally agree with Anita. We loved Montalcino, Montepulciano, Pienza and all the other towns in Tuscany except Siena. We're heretics, I know, but we hated Siena.
Posted by
Bay Area
3551 posts
Mpulciano is gorgeous but very hilly and windy it can be easily seen on a sidetrip from Siena. Siena is lovely larger Tuscan town and transport hub. It will be easier to park in Siena for sure.But
Why not stay in Pienza in betw Siena and Mpulciano? smaller pretty village with better car access and parking. and about midway betw Siena and Mpulciano.
You can drive to Fiesole just outside Florence and bus down to FLorence or just bus it from Siena. It is easier to just park the car than fus with any roads nr Florence.
Posted by
OP
St. Joseph, Missouri, USA
7 posts
Thanks to all for your thoughts and info! It has been very helpful.
Sheridan