I am planning a trip that will be starting in Positano. From there we will be driving to Pienza. Pretty long drive. I’m considering breaking it up with a stop between. Any suggestions? I’ve been looking at the possibility of Tivoli which has Villa D’Este and it’s gardens. Anyone have thoughts?
Thanks so much
As an overnight stop or a long lunch break?
Probably overnight for one night
If you haven’t been to Orvieto, might be a good possibility.
Thank you for your reply. While Orvieto is a wonderful place and a place we will return to the fact is that I am looking for a good spot a few hours drive from Positano. Pienza is a 4 and a half hour drive from Positano. Orvieto is about 4 hours from Positano. So at that point it’s really not a good option. If you have any other thoughts please let me know! Again, thank you
It's a 6 hour drive from Positano to Pienza, to Orvieto it is 4.5 hours.
I agree with the Inbsig Orvieto is a beautiful small city and if you have never been the Cathedral is a must see.
Well, maybe I am getting bad information! I usually do trust Rome to Rio. It shows that the drive from Positano to Pienza is 4 1/2 hours! So that is what I am going by. But again, or Vieira is a great recommendation!
Sorry Orvieto!
I don’t find Rome to Rio reliable.
Thanks for that! I will have to look a bit deeper!
Well I am digging deeper and I’m so glad I asked you all for your recommendations. I agree that Orvieto will be the best (and most beautiful) option. Thank you all so much for your thoughts and wisdom!!
On the basis of recommendations on this forum, I've been using ViaMichelin.com when I need estimated driving times to respond to an inquiry from a poster. A bonus is that ViaMichelin highlights the most scenic roads in green, though you have to zoom way in to see that.
We liked Villa d’Este and with adding Hadrian’s Villa, Tivoli is a good idea. There’s not that much else in the town, and technically, they can be done from Rome on public transit. Heat and sun can be issues at Hadrian’s Villa, as well as maintenance closures of specific parts. We spent a few hours in the historic center of Viterbo on the way to Orvieto and our hotel near Sinalunga. Started in Civitavecchia, however.
It is important to add traffic and other congestion’s into pure map driving time estimates, even on controlled-access highways by highly skilled American drivers. You are wrong to dismiss Orvieto purely for off-center timing reasons. You could even consider Caserta, because Positano is somewhat ... remote. Ostia Antica?
The direct route Positano-Pienza is a little more of 400Km, so calculate 4.5h make sense, but of course depends by traffic and your driving pace. Mostly is highway where speed limit is 130Km/h
About stops: "unfortunately" is plenty of wonderful ideas. You can stop in the "Castelli Romani" area (Frascati, Castel Gandolfo, Rocca di Papa...) just before Rome. Or maybe on the Bracciano Lake. Tarquinia or Civita Castellana are other two good suggestion.
You can even do a longer route and stops in Rieti or Terni. Or longer along the coast and stop in Tarquinia or Anzio.
