We're just beginning to plan a trip for next spring. We want to revisit an agriturismo we fell in love with earlier this year (Pienza), plus try to take in some of France, which will be new to us. I think we have about 17 days to work with. Does the following sound feasible: fly into Paris and stay three nights; drive or take train to Provence and stay six nights; then drive to Pienza (seven nights). I have driven extensively in Italy on our previous trip, so I'm anticipating no problems in that regard. Any ideas on travel times between these points? Any other suggestions? Many thanks!
Posted by
Atlanta
800 posts
Roy - looking quickly at viamichelin.com - it says about 8 hours from Arles to Pienza. Looks like a lovely route though I'd probably choose a stopover between Provence and Pienza. Try viamichelin yourself to get an idea of how long, what places you would pass through etc.
And in Pienza - you aren't staying at Le Traverse by chance are you? We were there this past summer and are aching to go back. Pinuccia is a wonderful hostess and this was one of the nicest places we've ever stayed. Loved Pienza as well!
Posted by
San Diego/Seattle
179 posts
Roy,
I am planning a very similar trip myself for next spring. 3 nights in Paris, 5 nights Provence, 2 nights French Riviera, 3 nights Cinque Terra, 5 nights Tuscany, 1 night Milan and fly home from Milan. I'm planning to travel from location to location by train but rent a car while staying in Provence and while in Tuscany. One thing you may want to consider is that it is very expensive to pick up a rental car in France and drop it off in Italy.
Posted by
Slidell, LA
571 posts
Just got back and did it in the reverse. Rome, Florence, the CT and the night train to Paris. My suggestion is that you get a rail pass from Rick with the number of days based on your travel. Easy getting around and relaxing, plus the scenery. Consider a stop in the Cinque Terre, which is between Genova and Pisa... it's wonderful. You can get a car near the train station in Siena or Florence for the Pienza part of your journey. Good luck.
Posted by
Tulsa, OK, USA
126 posts
We are doing approximately the same trip in May. First 3 nights in Paris, 3 hour train to Avignon and pick-up rental car, 4 nights with car in Lourmarin (pop 1000) at La Cordiere (stayed here before, quaint and very inexpensive), return car in perhaps Nice,3 hour train to Genoa, 1 hour train to Levanto for a 4 night stay (you would go to Florence). I just realized you said you were driving, but I don't know if you were driving from France to Italy. If so it will be very expensive to do so. Best to rent in France and then in Italy. If you like driving in out of the way places and on country roads I would strongly suggest you by a spiral-bound book called Provence Byways a guidebook to the Luberon Region of Provence. It is written by Bob and Sue Winn from Oregon. They use to live in Lourmarin and wrote this book which has many day-trip routes from Lourmarin. It was great. It costs $20 and you buy from them directly. [email protected]