Suggestions to kill several hours by car between Florence and Tuscany Countryside/Siena/Arezzo.

30 minutes west of Arezzo where? 30 min is the time it takes me to drive from the Arezzo freeway entrance to Firenze SUD exit in Florence.

Anyhow, you could do some shopping.

If you are near Foiano della Chiana, there is a major outlet mall (Valdichiana Outlet Village) where you can buy a lot of Italian clothes for much less. A1 freeway exit: Valdichiana (southwest of Arezzo, exit after the Arezzo exit).

At Montevarchi, half way between Florence and Arezzo (exit: Valdarno), there is the Prada Outlet.

Near Incisa, at the previous exit (Incisa Valdarno), going toward Reggello, there is "The Mall". Another premium designer outlet.
At Incisa itself there is the Dolce & Gabbana outlet.

oooh Prada outlet. Now you're speaking my language!

We will be out past Civitella in Val di Chiana. Google maps it out as 30 min to Arezzo's town center. You're a fast driver!

Thanks!

I would not try for Sienna with your car...it is a headache to park. San Donato is a small village. Winery and a few other buildings but a great view and good place for a picnic.

I have an idea. Go introduce yourself to the "Mad Butcher of Panzano." Dario Cecchinni is a famous butcher in Panzano and is a personality all to himself. Check him out on You Tube, here's an example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEcIWmHAFFc

Here's his website: http://www.dariocecchini.com/ He has a great store too, lots of high quality meat and free wine sometimes.

A very friendly fellow you will enjoy.

Gordon, we were planning to go dine at his place Officina della Bistecca for the fixed price meal. Have you eaten there? I've read mixed reviews about it and seems more touristy than anything else so we are little on the fence about it now.

Siena is a stunning place to spend a day and parking couldn't be easier. The historic center is ringed with well signed parking garages. The only important thing to remember is to note the names of streets as you walk from these garages by the town walls into town and to the campo as you could easily forget where you parked your car if you don't take note so you can retrace your steps. We have done this half a dozen times easily. The Siena Cathedral is the most wonderful Cathedral interior we have visited -- that alone is worth making the stop. The Campo may well be the loveliest town square in Italy -- certainly one of them. And climbing the Torre Mangia is a must. You can see my last climb in all senses of the word here:
https://janettravels.wordpress.com/2011/09/18/climbing-the-torre-mangia-at-67/
We have been to the Arrezo Antique fair; not our thing so don't know if there are bargains. There were some stunning chandeliers. The church and its important frescoes needs reservations. We had not made them and were not able to visit and see these important works of art. So make reservations for that visit if you are planning on it during the day of the fair.

Thank you for your tips janettravels44! We definitely are planning to see Siena, but with our entire group later in the week. I'm just looking for some more off the beaten path suggestions for 2 girls to kill an afternoon before meeting up with the rest of our party! If you know of anything more casual or unexpected in the area, we'd be up for it.