My fiance and I have the wonderful opportunity to stay with his family in a villa in Lucca. We have about 2 weeks and a car. We are planning a one-day overnighter to Cinque Terre, but are looking for recommendations for other day trips or an overnighter or two. What were the best things about Tuscany that you saw? We will obviously do the "big" things like the leaning tower in Pisa, Florence, etc., but are looking for those "off-the-beaten-path" things that you will always remember. Any recos??
Posted by
Los Angeles, CA, USA
1449 posts
If you want to take an overnite or 2-day trip you could go across to the Adriatic side which is much less visited by American tourists. One of my favorite towns to visit has been Pesaro, which we discovered just driving around (based in Urbino for a few days). And partly that's what I recommend you do, too. Bring a good Michelin map of the area so you can look at smaller roads and villages, a GPS so you don't get too lost or can quickly go to a destination, and then just drive. We found Pesaro because we hit the coast and were headed down it, were hungry and stopped for lunch. There are dozens of places that would have just as much charm; let randomness be your guide! You pull around a bend and see an interesting looking town, stop and have a look around.
When Americans say Tuscany they often lump Umbria into it, and Umbria has some great places to visit. Both regions have some great hilltowns to visit.
Obviously going thru some guide book will help you find places you want to be sure to visit. One book often overlooked is the "Daytrips Italy" book by Earl Steinbicker. BTW don't drive into Florence or you'll end up with some expensive tickets in the ZTL; take the train.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17612 posts
If you are going in the summer or early autumn, you might enjoy a drive down the Chianti Highway (SR 222, from San Donato to Siena)) with an overnight at this agriturismo:
http://www.mulinodiquercegrossa.it/
Be sure to arrive in time to enjoy the pools---all 7 of them!
This is just a few miles north of Siena, so you can go there for the evening or spend the next day there before returning to Lucca.