Tuscany Itinerary

Hi, Allison: If it were me, since you're already planning to rent a car, I would choose a centrally located agriturismo in Tuscany to get a true Tuscan experience and also eliminate all of the moving around. If you chose a base just south of Siena, for example, you could easily day trip to Montalcino, Montepulciano, Pienza, San G., Volterra, etc.).

Thanks Roy! That sounds like a great idea. I appreciate the help.

I agree with Roy. That is what we are planning to do in October too. We are staying at Agriturismo Savernano. We plan to day trip to a lot of the little towns around but use that as our base.

Agriturismi are great, but towns have their pluses too. I've stayed in Volterra, Montepulciano and Montalcino. Each is enjoyable, and I like the option to explore the towns at my leisure and choose different restaurants each night. I also like that day trips are shorter from a couple of different towns.

Unless you're planning to go to Pisa to see the tower, which is about the only thing I'd go there for, drop the car in Siena and take the train to the CT. If you still go to Pisa, take the train to LaSpezia and transfer there to a train to the CT, which takes about 15 minutes. Busses through the mountains to the CT will take much longer. The train back to Florence will take about 2 1/2 hours.

I agree with the other comments about finding one central location and make it your base, then take day trips out into the countryside to the places on your list (We rented an apartment in Florence for five nights and explored from there). Otherwise you're doing a lot of packing and unpacking, checking in and out and spending a good deal of time in some form of transportation. You'll want to give yourself all the time you can in the CT. It will totally relax you and there's more to see and do there that you realize. Try the anchovies in Vernaza baked in olive oil with sliced potatoes, diced tomatos and olives. Caught fresh every night. They're to die for, and I owe that experience to Rick's DVD of the CT. Don't forget the CT wine..... and if you try the grapes from the market you'll find they're as good as the wine.

Last thing. We were there in the last week of September 2007 and the first day it was 60 degrees with winds off the Med of 50 kts. The next two days it was 75 and a light breeze. Be sure to check the weather before you go. Good Luck.

Allison,
I don't know how you are arriving in Florence but if it is by plane and you take the bus to Florence just use the bus to Siena. The bus is faster and leaves you in town. The Siena train station is about 2km outside of town. The Florence bus station is the building next to the train staion.

For southern Tuscany see http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/tuscany/hs_planning.htm
If you take the train to La Spezia use the train to cinque terre.

Thanks for all the great advice! I'm now thinking we'll base ourselves in Montepulciano and maybe stay at the agriturismo in Ricks book. It looks nice. Does anyone have any experience with staying here?

And perhaps it is a better idea to drop the car in Siena and then take a train to CT. We've already visited Pisa, on the last trip, and don't plan on visiting again.