My family of 20 (made up of my active, healthy parents 76 and 79, my sisters, our husbands and our kids, youngest being 16 and most in their 20's) is going to spend a week in Tuscany November 18-27! The large majority have never been to Italy. We fly in and out of Florence. Our accommodations are already set in a countryside estate and we are just trying to plan our days. We have a day set aside for Florence. We also have planned to have a day in Siena. We are looking for ideas and suggestions for what we should do in the Tuscany region from some of you who have travelled there during the end of November (since the weather and number of daylight hours will bring a different feel to our trip). We are a group that has different interests but overall loves to be active and loves to experience local culture. Some like the idea of a day trip to Cinque Terre, but I am wondering if the weather and time of year make this a worthwhile trip? Some like the idea of a day trip to Rome, but is that too much to squeeze in one day? What are your suggestions for how to make the most of this week? Thanks! Robin
Posted by
Pa and Italy
4152 posts
At that time of year I wouldn't visit the CT.
Since you should have a few cars you can all do different things if you can't agree on particulars. I assume you are staying around the Siena area? That's a great area to be in. You can easily drive to Montalcino, Pienz, Montepulciano, Montefollonico, Monteriggioni...... the list goes on and on.
I wouldn't consider a day trip to Rome, it's too far and you won't have enough time to do much with the shorter days.
I would grab a few guide books and have the group start reading through them. Have everyone make up their own list of what they want to see and do. You can combine the lists and visit the sites the most people choose. You don't all need to go everywhere together so everyone should be able to visit some place of interest to them.
We vacation with our family all the time. There are 16 of us. Just be sure everyone participates in choosing things to do so no one feels left out.
Donna
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
Did you see Cameron Hewitt's blog about his family Thanksgiving in Tuscany? There's a recap with links at http://blog.ricksteves.com/cameron/2016/11/reliving-thanksgiving-dinner-in-tuscany/.
Posted by
Boston
1815 posts
Bear in mind that after Nov. 15, cars in Tuscany must have snow tires or have chains on board. You are very unlikely to need them. Your rental company should have info on its website.
Posted by
Tampa, FL, USA
1054 posts
November is White Truffle season. You can visit 1 of the various Sagra's (Festivals) around Tuscany for Truffles.
The one in San Miniato is the last 3 weekends of the month. You'll be there for 2 of the weekends. You can find some more info here: http://www.toscanagustando.it/
Also one in San Giovanni d’Asso the middle 2 weekends of the month. More info here http://www.mostradeltartufobianco.it/programma-mostra-tartufo-2016/
Posted by
Rural Georgia
2215 posts
Bear in mind that after Nov. 15, cars in Tuscany must have snow tires or have chains on board. You are very unlikely to need them. Your rental company should have info on its website.
No worries on this one. We rented in December and our Hertz rental met all requirements.
Rome is too far for a day trip. CT would be iffy from a weather standpoint, but you could play it by ear.
Where is your accommodations? My recommendations would vary according to if you were in the northern area (Florence vicinity) or southern area (Montepulciano vicinity).
Posted by
Boston, MA
1832 posts
Agree with the last post, Tuscany is a fairly large area so your accommodations could be hours different from where we might be thinking.
I assume you will have multiple cars, so really don't have to have everyone in the party doing the same thing at the same time.
Some likely will want a 2nd day in Florence.
Siena should definitely be given a full day, things will move much slower with such a large group and age range.
As far as CT I would plan on doing it but play it by ear and go on a "good" weather day only.
San Gim., Volterra, Cortona, Pisa, Lucca, Arezzo, Pienza, Montepulciano, Montalcino, Chianti, Monteriggioni ; depending on where you are staying maybe even Orvieto or Bologna.
Point is plenty to do nearby.
Posted by
Morrison, CO, USA
893 posts
I wouldn't spend a day going to Cinque Terre in late November. Many businesses will be closed and the hiking trails also have a good chance of being closed. I think there are many other places for day trips depending upon where your countryside accommodations actually are.
Sounds like a great trip, Have Fun!