Bob the Navigator or anyone else out there .... I need your help!
Jul 7th, 2011, 02:43 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Bob the Navigator or anyone else out there .... I need your help!
I had posted awhile back about our upcoming trip to Tuscany and you were very helpful in focusing us on where to stay. We have booked Locanda Amorosa in Sinalunga and are very much looking forward to our trip at the end of the month. We only have four full days and 1/2 of one of them will be spent in Chianti at a cooking class. Are you able to give me an idea of a loosely-based itinerary that would allow us to see the Val d'Orcia/Southern Tuscany? I don't want it to be too hectic but I'd like to have a plan of sorts. Thanks so much!
Jul 7th, 2011, 04:18 PM
#2
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,525
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
OK--let me see if I can help. I wil plan for 3 days and skip Siena for now. Your location dictates what is feasible. I love the Locanda,but you are a bit north for best access to the Val d' Orcia. Here are 3 good days:
1. West via Trequanda to the Abbey at Oliveto Maggiore--plan for an hour here and enjoy the frescoes and setting. Then head south to San Quirico and a drink at the Bar Centrale--my favorite place to hang in Tuscany. Let your stomach dictate if you have lunch here[Vecchio Forno] or drive :15 east to Pienza. Enjoy Pienza and buy some pecorino before headng back home via Santa Anna in Camprena---site of the ENGLISH PATIENT film, but now a nice B&B. Head home via Montisi.
2. Head south via Torrita to Montepulciano---be there by 0930 and plan to spend 3 hours--read your book. Book lunch at the wonderful La Porta a few miles south in Monticchiello. Call Daria at http://www.osterialaporta.it/monticchiello.en.php
If Wed. you may want to visit the gardens at La Foce.
3. Get back to San Quirico ASAP and head just south to the spa hamlet of Bagno Vignoni---worth about :30. Take the loop south via Castiglione to the Abbey at Sant Antimo---be there before 11:00. Drive north toward Montalcino but divert to the winery[ and Tavena] at Fattoria Barbi---you will see signs. End the day in Montalcino and plan for some wine tasting at the Fortezza enoteca or at Osteria Osticcio in the heart of town. You have an hour drive back home--maybe via the loop around Siena.
That will give you a good taste of south Tuscany. The other day trips from there would be Siena for a day, and also. Cortona. Have fun and report back.
I assume you have seen my recent trip report--if not just click on my name.
1. West via Trequanda to the Abbey at Oliveto Maggiore--plan for an hour here and enjoy the frescoes and setting. Then head south to San Quirico and a drink at the Bar Centrale--my favorite place to hang in Tuscany. Let your stomach dictate if you have lunch here[Vecchio Forno] or drive :15 east to Pienza. Enjoy Pienza and buy some pecorino before headng back home via Santa Anna in Camprena---site of the ENGLISH PATIENT film, but now a nice B&B. Head home via Montisi.
2. Head south via Torrita to Montepulciano---be there by 0930 and plan to spend 3 hours--read your book. Book lunch at the wonderful La Porta a few miles south in Monticchiello. Call Daria at http://www.osterialaporta.it/monticchiello.en.php
If Wed. you may want to visit the gardens at La Foce.
3. Get back to San Quirico ASAP and head just south to the spa hamlet of Bagno Vignoni---worth about :30. Take the loop south via Castiglione to the Abbey at Sant Antimo---be there before 11:00. Drive north toward Montalcino but divert to the winery[ and Tavena] at Fattoria Barbi---you will see signs. End the day in Montalcino and plan for some wine tasting at the Fortezza enoteca or at Osteria Osticcio in the heart of town. You have an hour drive back home--maybe via the loop around Siena.
That will give you a good taste of south Tuscany. The other day trips from there would be Siena for a day, and also. Cortona. Have fun and report back.
I assume you have seen my recent trip report--if not just click on my name.
Jul 7th, 2011, 05:22 PM
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Bob-Super helpful, thank you. I found your wonderful trip report and have made some notes. Someone else had recommended Osteria La Porta, so I am putting a star next to that one! I also received a suggestion that Da Roberto in Montisi was a great find for lunch. One question, the above suggestion does not include Siena, which both my husband and I really want to see, especially since we are not visiting Florence on this trip. If I were to trade one day in for Siena, which day would you forgo? I am assuming Siena is a full day, and if not, what would you pair it with? Again, thanks for all of your input.
P.S. I see you are from Northern Jersey originally. We lived in NYC for years and now live right outside of Manhattan in a northern suburb as well. Small world.....
P.S. I see you are from Northern Jersey originally. We lived in NYC for years and now live right outside of Manhattan in a northern suburb as well. Small world.....
Jul 8th, 2011, 06:50 AM
#4
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,525
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you include Siena---and it is hard to beat---then enter via the Siena Sud exit and the Porta Tufi and park at the Il Campo large parking lot---just follow signs.
Plan to be there by 0930 and either spend all day or drive south via Asciano and include the Abbey Oliveto Maggiore that day---opens again after 15:00.
The Montalcino day is the longest driving for you---your call.
Why do you think NJ for me? We have lived in 9 states, including NJ for 3 years, but not from there.
Plan to be there by 0930 and either spend all day or drive south via Asciano and include the Abbey Oliveto Maggiore that day---opens again after 15:00.
The Montalcino day is the longest driving for you---your call.
Why do you think NJ for me? We have lived in 9 states, including NJ for 3 years, but not from there.
