TaraN

This looks like an active forum so I'm hoping someone can help me. I'm trying to plan a trip for my husband, my sister, and myself in the beginning of October. The train schedules aren't available yet so I'm getting a little nervous about my itinerary. ALSO, I'm looking for any hotel/dining recommendations that I can get. Last but not least, we plan to stay at an agriturismo for the last few days and I'd love one that's central and not too far out in the boonies. We will be renting a car for the hill towns portion of our trip. Our tentative itinerary is below!

Day 1 - Pisa (we arrive earlier that morning so we're hitting the high notes)
Day 2 - Cinque Terre
Day 3 - Lucca
Days 4-6 - Florence
Days 7-10 - Tuscan hill towns (looking at San Gimigiano, Volterra, Greve in Chianti, Montepulciano, Montalcino, any other interesting ones? Are there two that we could combine into one day of sightseeing?)

I'd love to find an agriturismo that could arrange a country excursion, a cooking class, wine tasting, olive oil tasting, trip to the spa...anything! I'll be browsing the forums as well, but I thought I should get this out there, the sooner the better. Thanks for any help!

Aramis

You could combine the two M's into one day and San G and Volterra would work that way too. I have stayed in San G and we did the M's in one day.

If those are your choices, Greve is the most efficient - it is only 1:20 to Volterra (1:10 return), via San G, and it is 2:05 to Montalcino via Montepulciano (1:35 return).

So, a 2;30 hour round trip drive to see San G and Volterra and a 3:40 round trip to see the M's.

If you want to do the Agriturismo thing - look for something in Chianti south of Greve and you will get even a bit more central. Sorry, I don't know anything specific there, I'm just a small town hotel travelling fella.

bobthenavigator

I do not understand--where are you sleeping the first 3 nites?
Where and when do you depart?
For train schedules just use the same day of the week for a June date and it will not vary much in Oct.

Here are places to stay that may be helpful--look at Cretaiole:
BOB’S FAVORITE DIGS IN TOSCANA

A. RURAL LOCATIONS: All have parking and good food options nearby

1. Relais La Saracina www.lasaracina.it 230 to 300E
Fabulous country home near Montepulciano—helpful owners

2. Cretaiole Agriturismo http://www.cretaiole.it/ Good value for families

3. Terre di Nano www.terredinano.com 100 to 155
Both rooms and apartments at rural Agriturismo near Monticchiello

4. Hotel Pescille www.pescille.it Good value at a rustic hotel only 3 km from famed San Gimignano with great views---100 to 130E

5. Fattoria Tregole www.fattoria-tregole.com 110E to 180E
Has both B&B and apartment accommodations. Near Castellina in Chianti

6. Agriturismo apts. near San Quirico— www.poggiolo.info/ About 110E

Jean

I suggest a small adjustment. Arrive Pisa in the morning, store your luggage at the main train station, and spend a couple of hours seeing the Leaning Tower and the rest of the Campo dei Miracoli. Return to the station in the afternoon, collect your luggage and take the train to Lucca (30 mins.). Stroll through Lucca, have dinner and spend the night there. Finish up exploring Lucca the next morning before taking the train to the CT (90 mins. or so). Add the night you saved (Pisa) and add it to CT.

I think Volterra is interesting and underrated, but I think it takes nearly a full day to see its highlights (a wonderful Etruscan museum, alabaster workshops, a Roman theater, in addition to the usual cathedral, bell tower, main piazza). Don't forget to plan time for lunch.

I was underwhelmed by San Gim except for its "skyline" as seen from a distance. I'm curious as to why Siena didn't make your list.

FWIW, I think it takes a lot of discipline to see two towns in one day. You've really got to keep moving and not allow yourselves to be distracted or detoured.

travelfan1

Stu Dudley has a great 1 day driving tour of Tuscany plus many other driving tours in that area. He will be glad to email you any of them. You can find the above mentioned tour in this thread.

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ne-tasting.cfm

Meme5

We just returned from three weeks in Europe- our son lives in London so we took him and his wife to Italy with us after visiting them in their beautiful city. Italy was beautiful but not relaxing. We did rent a villa in Tuscany right outside of Florence for a week which gave us a home base. That was nice. We combined Greve and San Gimigiano in one day- we did have a car and drove it. We left our villa in Lastra a Signa and had lunch in Greve then heard about San Gimigiano and drove there- beautiful walled city and had dinner in the courtyard- lovely. It was such a fun day and we stopped and took photos of wineries, etc. along the way. Florence is fascinating and easily accessible by train but be prepared to do a lot of walking. We could not get over how America is so handicap friendly and Italy is the dead opposite. Luckily we were all in good health and could walk easily, but if you are not- watch out. Almost all bathrooms in restaurants are down winding staircases. It's just a lot to get around- but certainly worth it.Just take your time and enjoy it all.

TaraN

Thank you everyone for the informative (and prompt!) replies. Here are the answers to your questions/comments.

Aramis: Thanks for your recommendations - do you think that I could get the flavor of Tuscany just staying in small hotels rather than an agriturismo? I want the charm but not necessarily the "out in the woods" feel.

bobthenavigator: the first 3 nights I'm looking for just a hotel in those cities (i.e. first night we'll stay in Pisa). Thanks for your information on the train schedules, and I will be sure to check out the places you've listed to stay! I'm glad you listed the parking and good food options, because I cook all the time at home and am going to Italy to EAT.

Jean: I love your idea of seeing the highlights of Pisa and then heading straight to Lucca. We're flying out of Pisa as well so if we miss anything, we can see it on the back end of the trip. Siena didn't make my list because I was typing too fast and just didn't include it. =) For the days in the Tuscan hill towns, I just like having a central base and then if we get to all the towns, great - and if not, there's always next time.

Travelfan1: I'll check out that site, thanks!

Meme5: Glad to hear you're in good health, we are too and are trying to get geared up for all the walking. =) You mentioned that you combined Greve and SG - did you have any wineries that you stopped at and particularly enjoyed?

Just one more question for all of you - where's the best place to spend a Monday in Italy? Florence seems to close up shop.

bobthenavigator

You mean 3 one niters after you land--not for me.
Stay in Lucca.

Dayle

I agree that doing 3 one nighters to start this trip is a big mistake.

I would also agree on the plan to see the Pisa highlights and add a night to the Cinque Terre, otherwise just save it for another trip. We stayed 3 nts in Santa Margherite Ligure and would have loved a 4th.

I've had trips where I've stayed in small hotels in hilltowns in both Tuscany and Umbria. What I've liked about the hotels in small towns is the chance to stroll around town in the evenings and walk back from dinners that include lots of wine.

Loved staying in San Sano at Hotel Residence San Sano in Chianti. Also really enjoyed Il Giglio in Montalcino. Don't think I would want to stay IN San Gimignano, but it's a beautiful town.

Aramis

Tara;

It depends on what "flavour" means to you. I love strolling the streets in the evening and early morning when they are almost empty. I tour hard during th day and then return to my base and take it easy and unwind as the evening settle in. I call that "feel".

For some people, "flavour" means relaxing in a lovely garden looking out over the hills for at least part of the day and having a home cooked social meal prepared for them. That would be nice but it doesn't rattle my chain like walking through the history and imagining what it used to be like.

You can find hotels in those old charming historical buildings. Sure they have been renovated to the extreme but they are in the middle of it all and that still allows me to dream.

Giorgetto

for 7 days in Tuscany between Siena and Volterra can recommend this villa: http://www.agriturismocentopino.it/e...topino-en.html

zoecat

Will you be renting a car or are you planning on using trains for the 3 nights in the Tuscan countryside? You will need a car.

3 days is not enough time to enjoy visiting all of the places you mention on your list. With just 3 days, I suggest either a base in Chianti or a base south of Siena (near Peinza or Montepulciano or Montalcino).

From Chianti base- Greve, SG, Siena, Volterra and other small towns in between.

From South of Siena base- Pienza, Montepulciano, Montalcino and the in between.

As far as the first 3 nights of your trip, I suggest one base (either Pisa or Lucca). Pisa and Lucca are just 20 minutes apart by train. Visit the CT for a day from Lucca or Pisa (faster from Pisa). Or, skip the CT if you weather isn't cooperating.

zoecat

Oops- sorry, I just realized that this post is over a year old.

franco

Actually... which makes it more than probable that Giorgetto is trying to advertise here.

kwren

This post might be over 3 years old, but it's going to be very helpful to me! Thanks

sandra3120

Hi, Tara - we found Villa Fontelunga, in Pozzo in the Val di Chiana to be a very easy base for Siena, San Gimignano, Montepuliciano, Montalcino, Volterra, Radda in Chianti and the Chianti region in general. The owners are very helpful and will be glad to arrange or suggest tours to you. We did it on our own, visiting several wineries and olive oil producers. There is a lovely little hilltop town not far, about 6 km, Lucignano, where we had dinner a few nights. Also, Cotona is a short distance away. There are lovely strolls around the olive groves at Fontelunga. It's not really an agriturismo type of place, but it's lovely and a great base from which to explore. We were two couples travelling together, one of which didn't understand light packing, so we ended up in two separate cars coming out of Florence to Pozzo. When it was time for us to leave Fontelunga, one of the owners drove our luggage to our next stop in Umbria and we left the second car for pick-up at his place in Tuscany. They couldn't have been more helpful.

lovelyhello

I relly recommend you the vacation house called "Casina al Monte", see web http://casavacanzatoscana.piczo.com
It's in Vecchiano, a nice village close to Lucca, Pisa and the coast and all that destinations are easy trips.
The owners also own 700 olives threes just above the holiday home, so during october and november they organize special olives picking weeks and weekends. We went there last year and we spent funny days inside the tuscan nature.

It's in Vecchiano, a nice village close to Lucca, Pisa and the coast and all that destinations are easy trips.

aussie_10

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