After spending 2 nights in CT in July 2016 we will be picking up a rental car in La Spezia and driving to our next base, an agriturismo outside of Siena, where will spend the next 3 nights. The plan is to make stops in Pisa, Volterra and San Gimignano on the way, arriving at the agriturismo in the late afternoon. Is that trying to pack too much into one day? Too much driving, too many stops? As an alternate, we could stop in Pisa on our way from Florence to CT a few days earlier.
Posted by
Rural Georgia
2119 posts
It's 2 /12 hours from La Spezia to Sienna. What time will you be picking up your car?
Here's my suggestion. Stay loose. Drive to Pisa. If you don't climb the tower, you can do the main sites in a couple of hours. Then drive to Volterra. There's lots to see and do. Continue on to your agriturismo. On one of your days in Siena, make a trip up the road to San Gimignano.
We're leaving tomorrow for Tuscany. Like you, there's a lot we would like to see. I'm leaving most of our itinerary open, though. If we fall in love with a town, I'd rather soak it all in rather than rushing off to the next stop. I know we won't see everything we'd like to see. If we miss some things, it's just an excuse to come back again!
Posted by
Austin TX after living in Boulder CO for 25 years
1166 posts
DougMac is correct.
Plan it, but be spontaneous ! If you love Volterra (we did), then enjoy it and don't rush to get to San Gimi…..
San Gimi had lines for the parking lots - that took the enjoyment out of the visit. We fell in love with Volterra and have steered people there. There are SO many quaint villages to delight in that you don't truly need to see the tourist trap towns. Go discover your own !
Posted by
Huntsville, AL, USA
8166 posts
DougMac is right. San Gimignano is best visited after all the tour buses have left--about 4:00 p.m. And it's just a short drive from Siena over there. Of those cities, Volterra was our favorite. Don't spend too much time in Pisa as other than the tower and a duomo there's not that much there.
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
I would stop at Pisa for a few hours on the way from La Spezia to Siena.
Arrive at your agriturismo mid afternoon to check in, then head to nearby San Gimignano about 4pm.
Plan Volterra as a separate day perhaps.
Posted by
Portland, Oregon, United States
906 posts
DougMac is correct.
Last summer we drove from San Gimi to 5 Terre AND from San Gimi to Pisa. It isn't an easy drive and it is long. Volterra is similar, we drove from Volterra to Lucca, through Pisa, and it took longer than expected (without stopping in Pisa). So, I think all three in one day is too much,you will short change yourself.
Siena to San Gimignano is a short hop, particularly if you are staying on the north side of Siena. The SiFi autostrada makes it easy to get there exiting Poggibonsi. So, I would take a day trip, or even half day, maybe dinner in San Gimi after a tour of the city. Take your time in Volterra, it is a cool place. You will likely drive right past San Gimignano to get to Siena from Volterra though.
Alternatively you could go straigh from Pisa to your villa in Siena basically all on autostrade. Then do Volterra and San Gimignano in a day trip. That actually might be better.