sabbin

I would appreciate any thoughts on an itinerary I am planning. I was thinking of staying in Tuscany and doing day trips to Cinq Terre and Florence rather than getting hotels in each location. Is that a good idea and are there any small towns in Tuscany which would make sense distance wise? Thankyou Jim

capxxx

If you want to be between CT and Florence, try Pisa or Lucca, maybe, which are west of Florence. But this is the flat, farmland area of Tuscany, not the dramatic hillside area.

If you want to see the hills of Tuscany, you should be south of Florence (e.g. Siena), which is probably too far CT to be convenient.

sabbin

CapXXX, Thanks so much as that is exactly the type of information I need. We would like to stay in a small hillside town. Any rec: for that would be appreciated as well. Jim

TuckH

From your other thread:

Author: TuckH ([email protected])
Date: 08/07/2006, 04:33 pm
I suggest splitting your stay into the two locations - Cinque Terre and Tuscany. The daytrip idea is simply not practical IMO. For Tuscany, try to find a location in or near Siena for the daytrips there...

TuckH

An ideal "small hillside town" would be Monteriggioni. Larger, and with more options and also ideal, would be San Gimignano.

bobthenavigator

Jim, You have answers to this question at your earlier post--just click on your name.

sabbin

Thsnks Bob as I didn't I had posted twice. Do you think it would be wise to stay in the Sienna area and do day trips to Florence or do 2 days in each location [Florence and eg. Montalcino]. Thanks to all and sorry for the confusion. Jim

bobthenavigator

The perpetual dilemma.
How to see Florence, Tuscany hill towns, and the CT in 4 days? It cannot be done--life is a compromise.

How much time do you have? Given 6 days, I would do CT for 2 nites and then near Siena for 4 with a day trip into Florence.

sabbin

Bob, Thankyou for you thoughts. I think the 4 days in Tuscany with a day trip to Florence will do it. Any special hotels in the Sienna area for our family which you would recommend? Again, I appreciate your time. Jim

bobthenavigator

Look at Piccolo Hotel Oliveta just outside the Porta Romana on S-2. Great location for day trips and they have parking.

tuscanlifeedit

Sabbin, you've got good suggestions here. Everyone wants to include the CT on their short trips and it really can't be done easily, conveniently or comfortably. I'm glad you're open to a rethinking of the plan.

We are going through the same sort of thing on our first trip to Provence, and we are finding that we will probably enjoy it more if we push it less.

There is so much to see in central Tuscany, and you will enjoy all of it.

On the day trip to Florence, I suggest not driving in, but researching your best options for public transport. Even if you have to get a taxi to bus or train station, you will find that it is more convenient and will leave you more time to see the city than if you drove in. Tough driving town, Florence is.

I have not stayed in Siena and can't give you tips for a hotel; sorry.

sabbin

Thanks Bob and Tuck for all your time and information. We prefer not to stay in Siena but would like a small town in that area that has some character? Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks Jim

francophile03

Siena has character so I am not sure what you mean. Maybe you can investigate San Gimignano instead.

bobthenavigator

www.palazzodelcapitano.com

www.lacosta.it

www.casanovadepescille.com

Fattoria Tregole near Castellina

Good luck !