We have a day to get from Orvieto to Florence (end of October) and were thinking of renting a car and meandering up there on back/scenic roads. The other option is just to take a train. We won't have a chance to see this countryside otherwise. We only have three days in Florence and then head north. Is it over ambitious to do this? Any suggestions for a route or one or two places to stop.
Thanks
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16235 posts
Sounds good. Just be aware that Europe switches back to Standard time the night between Sat 29 Oct and Sun 30 Oct, therefore if your travel day is Sun 30 or after, it will get dark earlier, so start early.
I would stop in any (or all) of the following:
Pienza
Monteriggioni
San Gimignano
The last one is probably the most visited village of Tuscany.
If you have time, you could also drive from San Gimignano to Florence taking a detour through the Chianti (via Panzano, then Greve in Chianti). Not sure you'll have the time, but if you do, try.
Don't stop in Siena. You can do that via bus from Florence while you are there for the 3 days. Siena would take too much of your time and a car is a hassle in Siena.
You probably want to return your car upon arrival in Florence, especially if you stay downtown. If you return after 7.30pm, you might have to return at the airport, or make special arrangements for other locations, since they close at 7:30pm (the airport rental return closes at midnight).
Posted by
lexington, il
4105 posts
These two are relatively close to Orvieto, just off the A1.
Castiglione del Largo and Montepulciano.
Montepulciano to Florence is about a two hour drive.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thanks for the suggestions. I think we'll give it a try!
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
I think the previous poster means Castiglione del Lago, very pretty hill town on a lake.