Hi I am traveling the 1st week of October and spending 4 nights in a B&B outside of San Gimignano and then heading to Monterosso for 3 nights, finishing with 1 full day in Milan. I am traveling with my elderly mother who is in good health but will be relaxing when I will be hiking in Cinque Terre. We are interested in the beauty of the landscape, art and the food, a little shopping and just getting the feel of Italy. My current itinerary is we land and drive to B&B in San Gimignano and spend the night. Our first day drive to Siena and spend the day. Second day follow Rick Steve's Heart of Tuscany drive and visit 2-3 of the towns ( Montepulciano, Pienza and/or Montalcino). I think all 3 will be too much therefore looking for suggestions on which to see or if there are other options anyone would suggest. The third day we have a wine tasting tour set up that goes to San Gimignano and Chianti region. The 4th day we leave the B&B and go to La Spezia to drop off the car and take the train to Monterosso. Any suggestions on towns to stop at along our drive to La Spezia? I have heard good things about Lucca and Volterra but would not be able to see both. Are there other coastal towns we should stop at instead? Day 5 & 6 in Monterosso. Day 7 mid day train to Milan. One full day in Milan before leaving the following day. I would like to see the Duamo. Other suggestions? Thanks
Posted by
23 posts
We are heading to Monterosso soon as well and will be visiting the towns in Tuscany you're planning to see. I can't give much advice since we haven't gone yet but, but we are planning to stay in Volterra and are looking forward to it. We have stayed in Lucca in the past and it is quite charming. Unfortunately it was August and ridiculously hot so we didn't do as much walking as typically would like to. However, the town is surrounded by ramparts and it makes for a beautiful walk. Very few cars are allowed inside the city center. You can also rent bikes to ride around the ramparts.
However, Pienza may be more convenient since it's in between Montepulciano and Montalcino so would be convenient for visiting those towns. I've also heard Pienza is great for older travelers since it's flat. Have a great trip!
Posted by
5287 posts
If you have had your fill of inland, the Montemarcello peninsula just south of La Spezia is nice, in particular the town of Tellaro.
Posted by
5 posts
I have been to Lucca twice and Volterra once (but getting ready to visit again next month). They are two of my favorite Italian towns! They are both beautiful, with a relatively low key feel, lots to see, and great restaurants.
Lucca is relatively flat, so it's easy walking, if that's an issue for your mom. It has a very nice walking/biking path along the ramparts (totally flat). Because it's easily accessible by train, I found that it has a few more tourists than Volterra and felt more crowded.
Volterra feels like a smaller town (although I don't know if it is). It's a hill town and not easily accessible by train, so it seemed to have fewer tourists. It has a fantastic view over the countryside.
I highly recommend either, but you may find Lucca is easier with your mother. Have fun!
Posted by
78 posts
Hmmmm... I think Volterra wld be a better choice for quick stop. It's smaller than Lucca. Lucca is ver nice to stay a night over. If accessibility is an issue tho, Lucca is a better choice for flat terrain.
Posted by
OP
Washington
13 posts
Thanks for all the advice. We will have a car and I have read a lot on this Forum and in Rick Steve's book about Volterra so would like to add that as a stop. Thanks for the suggestion on the peninsula. I will look at driving route from San Gimignano to La Spezia, where we drop off the car, and see if that is doable.
Posted by
Golden, Colorado, USA
16 posts
You sound like you are doing the same itinerary as us. We will be based just outside San Gimignano as well the first week of October doing similar tours/drives in the area.
However, instead of staying in Cinque Terre we will move and stay in Lucca. From there we plan on exploring Volterra, Viareggio if the weather is nice, Pisa, and the Mts just north of Lucca. If you have time, maybe spend some time in Lucca and drive the scenic route north of Lucca with a stop at Ponte della Maddalena (historic bridge). That's part of our plan so far based on the great recommendations by the RS forums.