Tuscan for 7 days--move around or locate at a base?

If it were me, I would probably spend a couple of nights in Florence and the rest at an agriturismo. There are agriturismos where you can stay for a few nights ( and some require a week stay). We stayed at a great place in Greve for 3 nights. It will be the best of both worlds.

Pick a town in Umbria or Tuscany and use it as a base. You can stay in the Chianti region to be closer to wine tasting, or a hilltown to be closer to visiting them. I've used Perugia, Cortona, and Spello; many others would do as well. At nite when the daytrippers are gone you can walk around and picture yourself transported back in time 500 years.

BTW you might consider trading off a day in Florence for more exploration of the countryside.

We did the Rome-Florence trip nine years ago and decided last year to just go to Tuscany and Umbria. We stayed 3 nites in Siena and drove out every day. We never rushed, had leisurely lunches and always made it back before dark. Then 3 nites in Orvieto. We had one day of no driving, just enjoying the town and it was wonderful. Then a daytrip to Assisi. Again we were always back before dark and we were never in a hurry. Leaving on Thursday for CT and then 3 nites in Siena.
No driving this time, just taking the train. We hope to spend a leisurely time in Siena like we did last year in Orvieto.

Claire - My suggestion is also to find a spot outside Florence and use that as a base. We stayed in the Marema (southern Tuscany) last fall after two days in Florence and had a grand time. Florence is intoxicating though, you'll love it. Had a great meal at a restaurant named "Camilla".

Thanks both of you. I am a Renaissance nut so that's why the four days in Florence although I've heard it's a horrible mob scene. What are your experiences?

I am taking my 18yr old niece to Italy for graduation next year. I can't decide whether or not ot spend a week or maybe two in Tuscany area as a base or hop around on the train spending a day here and there. My concern is, will an 18yr old go nuts staying in one place in Tuscany and taking day trips?
Any suggestions?
Joyce

Tourism in Florence was really down last year, and is expected to be down again this year. Having said that, there are still lots and lots of people there. I could handle it for 3-4 days, but then I would be ready to move out into the countryside. (At least that is how I felt after being in Rome for 3 days) I think your plan to enjoy both a city and the countryside is a good one.

If you have a special interest in Florence then by all means stay for 4 days! I'm sure you'll have a great time. When I've been there (2 trips) it was busy but not inordinately so. Be sure to get reservations to the Uffizi for the day(s) you want to visit.

1. Mob scene in Florence? Hmm. I guess it could be. I wouldn't say that, but we never, ever travel during high season. Tell us when you're going so you can get better answers...

A trick to avoid a bit of the madding crowd is to get out EARLY. It's worth it. Take a little nap during chiuso, then you're ready to hit the streets again late into the evening.

1. I don't think I completely understand your schedule. Is the entire trip 7 days? Or is that just the countryside? Stay in Florence to see Florence, then stay in countryside at an agriturismi to see the hilltowns or the Chianti. Given you only have a few days, I'd stay closer to the hilltowns--they're wonderful. I recommend that you get a car for the hilltowns/countryside to maximize your limited time.
   

Are you flying in/out of Florence? Pick-up and return at the airport.

With your love of all things renaissance, I would look into Pienza as a base. We have stayed at agriturismo Cretaiole there the past two years (loved it!) and found it to be a very central location. Plus, Pienza itself was rebuilt in the 1500's by a pope in the renaissance style...a very pretty town. From Cretaiole, we have day-tripped to Florence, San Gimignano, Assisi, Montepulciano, Montalcino, etc.

A lovely agriturismo & vineyard near Montalcino is La Crociana. We stayed 3 nights there and did day trips to Pienza, Montepulciano, Montalcino, etc. It was so nice we're planning on going back next year and staying two weeks. Barbara and her mother, Fiorella, who run the place are wonderful (and so is their Brunello wine). This place and all the info. is listed in Rick's Italy guidebook.

Thank you all for your help. We may stay 3 days in the Chianti area and 4 in southern Tuscany unless I can find a nice agriturismo close to Siena that kind of splits the difference. Any suggestions?

with your love of the renaissance period I would suggest staying in Florence itself for the 4 days. In the evening or early in the morning, you'll already be there and able to wander instead of a few miles away. You'll effectively gain an extra half-day or more when you count the time you'd spend over 4 days driving to/from a place out of town, finding parking, etc. And you won't get a ticket by accidently driving into a restricted zone in Florence.

An analogy might be visiting NYC; sure you can find a place to stay in Brooklyn or Queens, but if the city and its sights is what you came for then Manhattan is the place to stay.

I agree with Mike. We rented an apartment in Florence in the Oltrano area for five nights. Cooked fruits and veggies on some nights that we had bought in the piazza early that morning, along with fresh flowers every day. Took a bus tour to San Gimignano and Siena that took all of one day. Letting Grayline do the driving allowed us to enjoy the scenery instead of watching road signs, getting first hand information from the guide enroute to each city was great. We also had a local guide in both cities who knew EVERYTHING about them. Left from in front of the train station at 8AM and returned around 6PM.

We also took a day trip by train to the Cinque Terre to check it our before going there two days later.

The bus tour cost about 65 Euros per person in 9/2007 and was worth every penny, and that included lunch in Siena and plenty of time for shopping in both.

Florence is a walking city and if in reasonable shape, you can walk everywhere. You can also rent a car and explore the countryside, turning it in when you get back. You really don't want to try to drive in Florence. Hope this is helpful.

PS If you like opera, I've got a great deal for you there.

Claire,
This may give you some ideas http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/tuscany/hs_planning.htm

You might consider Umbria, instead of Tuscany. Possibly Assisi? It's really beautiful.

I usually move when I travel. My itineraries are a swath through a region so I tend to move every second or third night rather than use a base. I'm not sure I would recommend it, I just haven't ever settled into the other option.

For Florence, you will want two full days to see the sites. Lines were long even in late October when we visited (you would be crazy not to get reservations for the Uffizi and Academia, although we called only about 48 hours ahead). While it wasn't a mob scene, I could see how it would be in high season. Lodging is terrible, poor quality at a high price, the food was nothing special and almost everywhere else in Italy has a more relaxed and friendly feel.

I would spend the time you need in Florence but I would never use it as a base to see sites outside Florence. Even better, establish a base outside Florence where you can catch public transport in for the sites.

One catch with staying at an agriturismo is that you'll end up driving back there at night. If, like us, you enjoy wine with dinner, you're asking for trouble. Italy has zero tolerance for driving under the influence (and rightly so). We much prefer staying at a place in town, that way you don't have to worry about that extra glass of wine with dinner since you'll be walking (or taking a taxi) back to the hotel/B&B.

But it's true that having a car does give you much more flexibility.

We do like to have wine with diner so driving later is not ideal. I'm now thinking of staying in a nice small town that has good restaurants for the evening. (Not San Gimignano). Any suggestions. The best would be centrally located in Tuscany like Siena but not Siena!
We have booked 4 days in Florence. That is in addition to the seven days we have allowed for exploring the Tuscan countryside and smaller towns.
Thanks to all who have replied. I'm kind of going nuts with this...probably because it's our first time in the countryside. I don't know about the roads or the distances.