We are planning a short trip into the wine areas from Florence. Plan on picking up a car and heading to Pisa for the morning then south to Greve and Multipuliano, staying overnight, then explore some more and then driving up to Milan, taking the train to Varenna. Was seeking some advise on this itinerary and if its feasible or too much territory. We could stay another night in the region before heading north. What are the best wineries to stop at and where would be a place to stay? Is Siena worth a stop? Parma?
Posted by
145 posts
Just my opinion, but Pisa to Greve to Montepulciano is far too much all in one day! It will take time to get the rental car, then to navigate to Pisa, park, etc., etc. I would skip Pisa altogether and just head to the hill towns in Tuscany. Pick the ones that are of most interest to you and then pick a home base to go from and stay there at least two nights if you can. If you haven't already, get a copy of Rick Steves' guide book and read the chapters on Tuscany and the hill towns to help you decide. We loved Siena, Montepulciano, Montecino, and Volterra. We spent most of one delightful day at Castello Banfi outside Montecino - had a delicious lunch, wine tasting and winery tour.
If you are not staying in Milan but just going there to take the train to Varenna, have you considered just driving to Varenna and returning the car there? Or are you staying in Milan, too?
Posted by
OP
Bluffton, SC
12 posts
Thanks for your advise. My husband really wants to go to Pisa, so we can't skip that. But we could stayovernight in Greve, then head down to Multpulciano the following day and stay overnight , then head up towards Milan. We were just stopping there to drop off the car, not staying there.That will happen before we fly over to Vienna. Any other wineroes you especially liked. We are still in the planning stages and everything can be altered. Thanks again.
Posted by
Tampa, FL, USA
1054 posts
I did a couple weeks in southern tuscany last august. Some of my favorite wineries from that trip were:
If you stay inside Montepulciano you can visit Contucci winery just off the main square. Just outside of town is Boscarelli with excellent wines. For a different take visit Salcheto. I found their setup to be pretty amazing as they focus on sustainability and not much electricity is used. The way everything is built is worth a stop in.
There is the king of Italian wines in Montalcino and my favorite Biondi Santi. The estate and the history is all there. Poggio Del Sotto and Poggio Antico and Castiglion del Bosco were good stops. I wouldn't suggest that mega plex, american owned mass produced place that locals in Montalcino refer to as BanfiLand. It's vast and more like a Budweiser Brewery then a winery.
Posted by
lexington, il
4105 posts
Robert has given you some EXCELLENT wineries to visit!!!
I think a slight change to your path would also help...
Day 1. Pisa. Then drive to either Montepulciano or Montalcino. about 2 1/2 hrs. enjoy the
scenery or stop in one of the many towns along the way. spend 2 nites.
Day 2. Montalcino> Montepulciano. 1Hr.
Day 3. Montalcino>Siena 1 hr. Siena> Greve thru the SS222. about 45 min. spend the nite.
Please read this before parking in Siena! Easiest lot is probably the "Stadio"
http://www.discovertuscany.com/siena/tourist-info/parking-lots-in-siena.html
Day 4. Greve>Parma 2 1/2 hrs. Parma>Varenna 2 1/2 hrs.
Have a great trip.
Posted by
Portland, Oregon, United States
906 posts
If you get far enought south the visit Arnaldo Caprai in Montefalco, Umbria you should stop by, great tasting room and you can buy a real Italian cavatappi!!!
Posted by
OP
Bluffton, SC
12 posts
Thank you all so much you your input. We will definitely take your advice. One more question , no actually 2. How is the drive up to Varenna? And does anyone have any suggestions for a hotel or B&b reasonably priced. I love the idea of staying 2 nights in one place and using it as a base. Cooking classes?