iamles

We arrive September 28th FCO and go directly to Civativecchia to our B&B where we'll relax from our flights, spend the night and store our luggage before returning there for the night of October 7th as our transatlantic cruise begins October 8th.

I'm thinking about taking the train to Florence (have been there before) where we'd spend 1 night, September 29th, before picking up a car. We would then drive to our B&B in San Donato in Poggi for 3 nights, October 1-3. On October 4th we'd drive to Locanda San Francisco in Montepulciano for 3 nights, October 4-6. October 7th would be a leisurely drive to Civativecchia with stops, arriving by dinner time.

Any comments and suggestions would be appreciated.

bvlenci

I'm not sure why you'd go directly to Civitavecchia on arrival if your cruise starts eight days later. You'd have to return to Rome to get a train to Florence. Why not find a place to stay in Rome that night and leave for Florence in the morning from Rome? It will save you a good deal of time, and a morning commute from Rome to Civitavecchia along with all the other commuters going to work in Rome.

iamles

I appreciate your reply, bvlenci.

To answer your question, I want to leave the large luggage at the B&B in Civitavecchia since we'd spend the night before our cruise there anyway. If we stayed in Rome the night we arrive, we'd need to go back to Rome the night before our cruise.
I know it's not ideal, but I prefer the inconvenience at the beginning rather than at the end.

We've never been to Tuscany nor driven around on our own. I would appreciate comments about staying in Poggi and Montepulciano as bases and suggestions for exploring.

zoecat

I can suggest a few things-

Make sure you have a good, detailed map. Here's a site with good information on navigating, rental cars, gas stations, road signs, parking-

http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/driving/index.htm

Visit The Abbey San Galgano on your drive from Chianti to Montepulciano. It is a bit out of the way but worth it.

http://www.borghiditoscana.net/en/ab...n-galgano-en/#

While based in Montepulciano, have lunch at this place in the nearby village of Montefollenico-

http://www.ristorantelabottepiena.com/

One of my favorite restaurants in Montepulciano-

http://www.acquacheta.eu/

Their Pici al ragù di cinghiale is fantastic!

For something different, enjoy a casual outside lunch of local meats/cheeses/bread,veggies,fruit/wine at the alimentari (small grocery store) in the tiny village of Lucignano d'Asso. The alimentari is the only business in town. Park in the lot at the entrance to the village and walk toward the church at the far end of the village. You will see the alimentari on your right, just before the church. If the weather is nice, sit outside and enjoy the views. You'll also enjoy the beautiful drive on the white (dirt) road traveling to/from.

If you like gardens-

http://www.lafoce.com/index.php?vedi...id=63&m=lafoce

Some of my favorite villages in the Montepulciano area to explore-

Petroio (terracotta museum and lots of terracotta throughout the village)
Castelmuzio
Montisi
Trequanda
Monticchiello (a couple of very good restaurants and a lovely setting overlooking the Val d'Orcia)
San Quirico d'Orcia
Castiglioni d'Orcia
Rocca d'Orcia (park outside and walk into pedestrian only village. Nice views and an interesting art gallery in a tower at the top of the village)
Sarteano
Radicofani (nice view from the top)

On your leisurely drive to Civativecchia, visit the interesting towns of Sorano and Pitigliano. Stroll through Sorano in the morning and arrive at Pitigliano for lunch at either of these restaurants-

http://www.ceccottino.com/?page=court

http://www.iltufoallegro.com/#!/eng-home

I think you'll find yourselves wanting to return to spend more time. The area around Montepulciano is very addicting. Plan your next trip during the last two weeks of May when the fields are still green and you will be very happy. By the way, the Maremma area of Tuscany (where Sorano and Pitigliano are located) is still very green in the fall.

Have fun!

iamles

Thank you so much for the great suggestions, zoecat!