We staying near Sienna for six days. There are many must sees, but we would like suggestions for day drives. We are renting a car in Pisa and then driving to Viarreggio and through the hills above, that is where my family is from. Then through Lucca to Sienna. Then there for the week. I have a book on drives, but most of them are two or three days.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11338 posts
The Slow Travel website has a number of great suggestions. We took this one http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/tuscany/monte_cetona.htm last fall on our way from Montalcino to Orvieto. Note in the right hand nav bar of the site there are a number of other drives. From Siena I also liked going up to Volterra via Monteriggioni. You can add in San Gimignano easily enough and make a loop. From Siena to Montalcino via the Lauretan Road and Asciano takes only 90 minutes or so (plus stops). You can stop at the Abbey of Monte Oliveto on this route. Another great drive is between Montepulciano and Montalcino (start at either end), stopping in Pienza and San Quirico d'Orcia. Pienza is a terrific lunch stop. If you have time, take the 15 minute detour from Montalcino to the Abbey of Sant'Antimo. Bellissima!
Posted by
Anson, Maine, USA
14 posts
We went to San Giminiagno (sp) by bus from Florence and were
happy with the trip. It's a medieval village with mant towers, and we found a great place to eat!
Posted by
lexington, il
4105 posts
Diane, If you are interested in wine, there are several "Wine Roads" to choose from. "in-tuscany.com/wine roads" will give you a list. Print maps before you leave the US Then just go. We met a great group of family vinters by doing this.
Posted by
San Francisco, CA
166 posts
Diana, You'll love it. We've stayed near Siena 6+ times and done the same kind of thing. Siena itself is great. You can easily spend a few days exploring. I'd recommend Colle val D'Elsa -> San Gimignano -> Volterra. Colle is a small, quiet town on a ridge of hills. It's fun to explore for an hour or two before heading on to San Gimignano. That's a very photogenic town, crazy medieval towers, great museum, good restaurants. From there, head to Volterra. Also picturesque, much quieter and amazing views across the Tuscan plains from the "balze" (cliffs) at the end of town. You should also just drive south out of Siena through the "Crete" amazing scenery. Rolling hills, Cypress trees and almost a moonscape at times. All those classic Tuscan landscape postcards you've seen with winding roads? That's the Crete. Head for somewhere like Montalcino. A pretty town with a good museum in the castle, but also for Brunello di Montalcino wines. A side trip to the Abbey at Sant' Antimo is also well worth it. All easily done in a day. I find photographs also help. See: http://www.lodgephoto.com/galleries/italy-tuscany-sangimignano/ http://www.lodgephoto.com/galleries/italy-tuscany-lacrete/ http://www.lodgephoto.com/galleries/italy-tuscany-santantimoabbey/ Cheers, Mathew