My wife and I are going to Tuscany for a quick 8 days, seven nights with a car to joy ride. We have been to Florence twice and Lucca once. the plan is to fly into FLR on a Friday, drive to Lucca for a night and catch the Saturday market and then on to Volterra two nights and Montepulciano for three before returning Peretola to fly out early from FLR. We will to sleep in towns for access to restaurants and enjoying the vino without driving. Any stops, day trips, sights you can recommend beyond the RS guidebook? Let it rip, thanks!
Posted by
Irving
3313 posts
Instead of renting a car the day of arrival since you’ll be sleep deprived if crossing the Atlantic, take a direct bus from FLR to Lucca (1h 15m) and rent a car in Lucca when you’re ready to leave. Buses depart the airport every 1h 30m.
Castiglione di Garfagnana is north of Lucca (1h). Of course, this is in the opposite direction of Volterra and Buonconvento is a good stop from Volterra to Montepulciano. Monticchiello is another day trip from Montepulciano and you can continue on to Castelnuovo dell'Abate.
Posted by
State of Washington, USA
271 posts
We stayed in Tuscany 6 nights in 2019, and in an additional 2 nights in nearby Orvieto. Enjoyable activities outside the RS guidebook included an appointment at Uccelliera winery and a visit to a ceramics studio in the town of Montefollonico. Details are in our trip report posted in the RS forum (Parts 5 & 6): https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/italy-2019-sicily-sorrento-amalfi-pompeii-rome-orvieto-tuscany-siena-florence-cinque-terre-milan
Posted by
OP
Lancaster PA
266 posts
Thank you Mary Pat and GeoffB. I will investigate your suggestions.