quinnr

Depart US
Arrive Rome Day 1- drive to Montalcino
4 nights in Montalcino ( day trips )

Leave Montalcino head to- Volterra 1/2 day Lucca 1/2 day
1 night
Mappy.com indicates a 2 hour drive

Wake up 1/2 day Lucca
Make our way to Italian Riveria - destination unknown at this point
3 nights ( 2 1/2 days )

Finally make our way to Acqui Terme- 3 nights ( 2 1/2 days)

The day we check out we plan to leisurely make our way to Milan where we'll sleep to catch an early flight home the next day

Before I secure dates-
I keep going over the portion around Volterra and Lucca. Should we not spend the night and add the night somewhere else on this trip. Does that portion seem to "rushed" or crowded?

I have gone over this a million times and need another set of eyes.

Thank you,
Robyn

Paulo59

I would spend that day and night in San Gimignano instead of Volterra or Lucca. Lucca is a bigger city/town. If you stay in San Gimignano you avoid the tourist rush that hits midday there and get the town to yourself and just the locals starting around 5 pm. It is beautiful then and all night and in the morning. Perfect for a one night stopover.

quinnr

Thank you for your response,

Would you still visit Volterra and Lucca for the afternoon?

I would love to hear more,
Robyn

jabez

Your plan works, but youare skipping thev Chianti area.
I actually like Volterra more than San Gim. I'm sure that has a lot to do with crowds and parking problems.
Lucca is a wonderful town and much different that the others.
Lucca is a better place to spend the night. This gives you a break before you head to the coast.
It seems like you want travel to Lucca (figure 2 1/2 hours).I wouold consider 222 and visit Radda, Castilllina, Panzano, Greve,etc. as you make your way back.
If my memory serves me right, you are adding at least an extra hour by taking the Volterra route to Lucca.

quinnr

Jabez,

Last year when we stayed in Tuscany- we had two home bases- Montalcino and Montebenichi. On that trip we went to Pienza, Montepulciano, and Siena.

On our next trip, using Montalcino as a home base- San Gimi, San Casciano, Volterra and Lucca. I figured on route to the Italian Riveria we could have lunch is one of these towns. However, through research I have realized an over night may be worthwhile. Torn between Lucca or San Gimi- for that 1 night.

I do not want to feel rushed.

Of course we are going to get mixed opinions on where to spend that 1 night.

Any thoughts?
Robyn