Will be driving from Rome to a hotel just outside Montepulciano on A1. The hotel has me getting off at Chiusi-Chianciano Terme exit, then turning left towards Montepulciano which takes 35 minutes to the hotel. It appears that it would be quicker and less traffic to go to the right then along A1 to Montepulciano Stazione , then go toward Montepulciano to the hotel. Anyone have experience driving to this area ?
Mike
Are you sure there is an exit at Montepulciano Stazione? http://www.viamichelin.com/web/Maps?address=53045%20Montepulciano%2C%20Italy doesn't show one.
I'm sure your hotel would know the best way to get there from Rome. I would follow their directions and not assume there is a quicker way.
Donna
I agree with Donna - unless you've driven it before, I'd trust the hotel.
We just returned from our first trip to Italy and took the same exit to Pienza and the roads to Montepulciano were well marked. As an aside and as has been mentioned before, signage in Tuscany is oriented toward towns and not necessarily route numbers. I'd also strongly recommend a good map of Tuscany (Michelin, etc.) even if you're using a GPS.
The hotel is correct.
Exit at CHIUSI-CHIANCIANO exit, pay toll and follow directions to CHIANCIANO and MONTEPULCIANO (you have to pass from Chianciano to get to Montepulciano).
The next exit would be VALDICHIANA, which can still get you to Montepulciano, but it would be longer because you'd need to come back down and sort of back track.
There is no exit at Montepulciano Stazione (which is located in between the above mentioned exits). So unless you break the guard rail and the fence enclosing the freeway, you won't be able to exit there. I presume you are not driving a Sherman tank, so that option is not a good one.
Guess what I noted was in the Rick Steves book on Leg #1 when driving to La Foce from Montepulciano he says " you could instead take the longer ( and poorly signed ) route farther south, via the congested, sprawling mess of Chianciano Terme ". That is the same road coming off A1 going to Montepulciano. Will follow the hotel instructions and hope it is 30 to 35 minutes they suggested. Hi Hi
