We are traveling for 8 days with a car ( Hertz) in Tuscany. Our itinerary includes train from Rome to Orvieto, two nights in Orvieto. Three nights in Montepulciano. Then we have three open days before returning the car to Orvieto, where we'll take the train back to Rome. Three nights in Rome fly to the US. What do you suggest? Options: Here's what we're considering so far... just stay on in Montepulciano? Stay in Volterra ( north)? Stay in Arezzo or someplace close in Umbria ( east) Go to the Maremma coast (west)? Or other ideas that match your experience of soaking in the beauty of Tuscany in May. We plan to hike, visit hot springs, wander in hilltop towns, eat, eat, eat and relax. We aren't trying to cover too much territory and don't want to spend long days driving. Appreciate your suggestions!
Posted by
5109 posts
I posted in your other thread about southern Tuscany or Umbria. There would be absolutely nothing wrong with doubling your time in Montepulciano, but since you are heading toward Rome, I would break up the trip and move south. That will minimize driving.
Posted by
Huntsville, AL, USA
8339 posts
Stay in Montepulciano and just do day trips. There are a bunch of hilltowns you're in range of.
We hit San Gimignano late afternoon after the tour buses left. Certaldo is just 5 miles away.
And Volterra is well worth seeing.
Another good city is the home of fabulous red wine--Montalcino.
You're smart taking delivery of the car in Orvieto and returning it there. Orvieto's a great town.
Posted by
Irving
3288 posts
Driving from Montepulciano to:
Pienza’s old town (30m)
Siena (1h) and make sure you take the scenic route SP146 to SR2 https://lovefromtuscany.com/scenic-drives-in-tuscany/.
Assisi (1h 30m)
Civita di Bagnoregio (1h 30m)
San Gimignano (2h)
Volterra (2h)
Posted by
Colorado
142 posts
All are great choices and you won't go wrong with any of your options.
Me personally if you haven't been to Volterra, that would be where I would go it puts you within short hops of Pisa and SanGimignano! and Lucca! Great places to explore. Then when you head back to Rome stick along the coast instead of back through the heart of Tuscany. That would be a fantastic finally 3 days.
Posted by
Portland
3644 posts
Check out Pitigliano and Saturnia. They’re right in a thermal springs area. Pitigliano is built on tufa cliffs. There are some Etruscan sites in the area; and in May, the countryside should be lovely.
Posted by
Adams Basin
565 posts
We picked up a car in Orvieto and stayed for 5 nights in a nearby Agre Turismo. We had a view of Civita di Bagnoregio, our own sheep, olive orchards. It was fabulous. We drove everywhere we were interested in and eventually returned the car to Orvieto. If you have an interest in the farm we stayed at PM me.