After Heart of Italy Tour

Posted by laural on 12/04/24 02:01 AM

After the completion of the Heart of Italy Tour in Florence, we, along with another couple, want to visit Siena and Montepulciano and then return to Florence to fly back to the US. Should we travel to Siena first and then Montepulciano or Montepulciano first and then Siena?

What is the best way to get to these two destinations from Florence and back? We plan to stay at least 2 nights at each location. Is this agenda possible logistically? Also, any recommendations for accommodations would be appreciated.

Posted by Pat

San Diego, California

12/04/24 02:58 AM

6240 posts

When is this trip?

Posted by laural OP

12/04/24 03:22 AM

27 posts

We plan to book some time in late September or early October

Posted by bethb

12/04/24 04:24 PM

156 posts

Are you driving? Or using other transport? You can get a bus to Siena from Florence. I don't know about the transport options to Montepulciano but maybe others will chime in.

If driving, I personally would pick Montepulciano first since its a little further, making your trip back to Florence for your flight slightly shorter from Siena. If you do have a car, you'll want to make sure you have a plan for parking, especially if staying in the center of either one.

Posted by MaryPat

Irving

12/05/24 08:04 AM

3383 posts

From Florence take a direct bus to Siena (1h 15m). The bus drops you off in the center but the train takes longer and drops you off away from the center and then you must take a bus from Siena’s train station to the center. Spend a day in Siena and the next day rent a car and drive to Montepulciano via the Val d’Orcia route: https://lovefromtuscany.com/scenic-drives-in-tuscany/. Montepulciano is an easy day trip from Siena and the drive to and from is quite scenic and considered one of the most beautiful drives in the Tuscan countryside.

Posted by laural OP

12/05/24 06:31 PM

27 posts

Thanks for all your helpful suggestions. Will taking a bus to Siena with luggage from the four of us become an issue? Do the busses run often/daily? Should we just rent a car from Florence to start and end our side trips be more convenient, provided we have a place that will allow overnight parking? Thanks for the link to the various tours for the areas.

We appreciate any additional advice from our readers.

Posted by valadelphia

12/05/24 07:13 PM

5703 posts

Will taking a bus to Siena with luggage from the four of us become an
issue? Do the busses run often/daily? Should we just rent a car from
Florence to start and end our side trips be more convenient, provided
we have a place that will allow overnight parking?

Luggage should not be a problem (unless you are bringing more than you would for a tour).
Here is one bus schedule website (there may be others): https://www.at-bus.it/en/linee-e-orari/regionali-131r
Car v bus just depends on your personal preference. If you could keep the car until departure and drop it at the airport, it is something worth considering. You'll need it or a driver/tour for Montepulciano regardless.
If you just want to see those two places and are interested in having a driver, doing something wine related w/ a driver for example, then you could skip the car.

Posted by MaryPat

Irving

12/05/24 11:59 PM

3383 posts

You could rent a car in Florence and drive the Chianti route that’s in the link I posted. However, it’s not recommended to leave luggage in a locked car even if it’s not visible.
Another problem with renting a car in Florence are the ZTL zones you don’t want to enter because you’ll receive a $300 fine six months later: https://www.autoeurope.eu/travel-blog/what-are-ztl-zones-in-italy/#:~:text=What%20is%20an%20ZTL%20enforced,area%20will%20be%20in%20enforcement.