We are traveling to Italy 6/24. Though most of the time is accounted for/reservations made, we have 3 days in the middle with a rental car to see the countryside in Tuscany and Umbria (BTW, already have a different day for Sienna factored in.) I have narrowed down to a few towns that I think I want to visit from reading, but am open to changes. Considering Orvieto, Assisi, Pisa, Luca, Perugia, and somewhere in Chianti. I wondered if anyone had suggestions PLEASE on what they think is best to see (will get plenty of art and history in the cities, so maybe somewhere cool and different.) We are okay to stay in different places each night or pick a central location.
Thanks in advance!
Posted by
11732 posts
We have stayed in Tuscany and Umbria many times. From your list I would visit Lucca and the Chianti villages which connect Siena to Florence. Villages like Radda, Gaiole, Panzano, Castellina. Siena is a good place to stay when visiting the Chianti villages or stay in a village which we always do. Assisi is quite interesting with the history of St. Francis and St. Clare but I wouldn't want to stay there. It is kept in pristine shape by the Roman Catholic Church. Perugia is up high on a hilltop and is a city so is not a good base. Orvieto and Pisa are OK; no wows from Orvieto except for the Cathedral. Tuscany and Umbria are both huge areas. Umbria: Stay overlooking Lake Trasimeno in Monte del Lago.
Lots of wonderful choices. You will return. We visited Chianti three or four times before looking at Umbria.
Posted by
Central Indiana
272 posts
In Umbria, I’m partial to Spello, Spoleto, Gubbio and Montefalco. Assisi is also great, but I prefer to in the early morning or evening.
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
7414 posts
Considering Orvieto, Assisi, Pisa, Luca, Perugia, and somewhere in
Chianti.
All of these towns are lovely and worth a visit but trying to fit all in just 3 days will be difficult. Lucca is well to the west, Assisi to the east, Orvieto is far south.
The roads in Tuscany/Umbria are curvy and narrow, poky and slow. If Google maps says 3 hours- you can actually figure on 4 hours- not counting time for stops.
So I think you are going to have to narrow things down.
Where will you be starting out from? Where will you be picking up/dropping off car?
Do you want to stay all 3 nights in one base? Do you have 3 nights or 4 nights?
to get 3 days you need 4 nights.
4 would be great- I would split between Pienza and Spello. 2 nights each
We love the Val D'Orcia region. We have stayed in both Pienza and Montepulciano. Both make great bases. Since you will have already seen Siena stick to south of Siena-you could even do day trip to Assisi or Perugia or Orvieto from either of the towns. (Lucca, Pisa, would be too far IMO)
Orvieto is a good place to drop car and catch train but only Hertz is there. Chiusi is another drop off spot on the train line.
Spoleto is also a decent drop off town on the train line to Rome
If you share what you are doing before and after we could give more specific advice.
Be sure you read up in driving in Italy.
All drivers must have an IDP- International Driving Permit- it is required by law.
If you plan to wine taste you will need a designated driver.
We always book with www.AutoEurope.com- a US based consolidator with stellar service, excellent rates.
Posted by
San Diego, California, USA
1242 posts
Both Lucca and Pisa are easily done from Florence without a car and are actually probably easier and better without a car. (I say this haven driven and looked for parking in Pisa.)
If you want to do these either extend a day in Florence is probably the best bet. You could transfer to Lucca for a night but I never advocate spending a single night somewhere, except for travel logistics, if you can avoid it. Pisa has obvious sights and Lucca is charming and pleasant but lacks blockbuster sights. They are also on the flat plains which is why they are well served by trains but the countryside is not the bella Toscana of undulating fields and rows of Cypress trees leading up a long road to scattered Tuscan farm houses. If you want this you need to head south from Florence into the countryside.
You are spoiled for choices and it is hard to choose poorly but you have to choose.
Have a great trip,
=Tod
Posted by
OP
GA
7 posts
Is having the international drivers permit really necessary? I dont have a AAA office near me to get one...
Also, where to stay and best stops to make in Chianti villages?
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
7414 posts
It’s required by law
Do you feel lucky?
The rental agency will ask for it, if you don’t have they can and will deny your rental
If they break the law and rent you the car anyway you have to hope you don’t get stopped anywhere or get into an accident
The Italian police do not need a reason to stop you
Your insurance may be invalidated if you don’t have an IDP
I am pretty sure there is a way to apply for IDP online or by mail
A little research will provide you with that info
Start here:
https://search.ricksteves.com/?button=&date_range=6m&filter=Travel+Forum&query=IDP&utf8=%E2%9C%93