I've been watching Ricks' videos on Tuscany and I decided I wish to visit the area. There are so many towns and villages that it is very hard to decide which ones to visit. My plan is to start in Florence and that's is the only decision so far. I need an itinerary so I can go to picturesque villages. These are the ones I have seen on videos: Lucca, Livorno, Montepulciano, Gimignano, Sienna, Volterra, etc. I don't mean I want to visit all of these. I just need an itinerary to see some picturesque villages and not zigzagging all over Tuscany. May be Florence to Sienna and then to Livorno and villages in between. Days: 3 to 6, by car. 2 persons. Thanks for you expert guidance.
Posted by
Laval, Québec, Canada
336 posts
Does 6 days include Florence?
I'm not too sure about Livorno. I haven't visited but it's not on the best of Tuscany, especially when there's a limit in time.
I would take off and add Pienza, Montalcino, etc.
Are you comning to Florence to fly back?
These questions will define an itinerary.
Posted by
Portland, Oregon, United States
907 posts
OK, here is the most direct route, without Livorno, so I added Pisa.
Florence to Montepulciano, to Siena, San Gimignano, Volterra, Pisa, and into Lucca, for a 212 mile loop. See Florence then move to Siena, day trip Montepulciano, San Gimignano, and Volterra from there, move to Lucca seeing Pisa along the way (you can go overland, over to the coast and up, or down the Siena/Florence autostrada to the Arno and down the river, or to the autosrada to Lucca.
Posted by
Chicago
8670 posts
6 nights/5 days is about enough time to see the highlights of Florence and make a day trip to Siena. If you want another easy day trip, take the train to Lucca. Or if you want to rent a car perhaps drive to Siena, spend the night and then drive to Montepulciano and maybe one other town or abbey in the area e.g. Monte Oliveto Maggiore (the drive there is through stunning territory). Less is more.