Italy in September - 16 days
Jul 13th, 2006, 08:40 AM
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Italy in September - 16 days
Hello Everyone!
I need some advice on my trip to Italy. My husband and I will be arriving in FCO Rome on 9/6 and plan to stay at least five days. From Rome we would like to go to Tuscany. My husband does not want to rent a car. Any suggestions, and what would be the best way to get there?
If time permits we would like to visit Florence as well. The last leg of our trip will be Venice where we will have some friends pick us up from Udine. We plan on staying with them at least a week.
Our tentative itinerary:
Rome
Tuscany (Orvieto, Siena, San Gimgnano)
Florence
Venice
Thanks,
Laura
I need some advice on my trip to Italy. My husband and I will be arriving in FCO Rome on 9/6 and plan to stay at least five days. From Rome we would like to go to Tuscany. My husband does not want to rent a car. Any suggestions, and what would be the best way to get there?
If time permits we would like to visit Florence as well. The last leg of our trip will be Venice where we will have some friends pick us up from Udine. We plan on staying with them at least a week.
Our tentative itinerary:
Rome
Tuscany (Orvieto, Siena, San Gimgnano)
Florence
Venice
Thanks,
Laura
Jul 13th, 2006, 08:53 AM
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So does the 16 days include the time with your friends (which leave no more than 8 days for the rest). Did you want to spend time in Venice before your friends pick you up?
Ovieto isn't actually in Tuscany, it's in Umbria. You can take a day trip there from Rome.
As far as Florence, San G and Siena, you stay in 1 central location and take day trips.
I think min. 3 nights are required in Venice. AT least 5 days in Rome is good. Anything less than that would be rushing it, if you've never been (there's just so much to see).
Ovieto isn't actually in Tuscany, it's in Umbria. You can take a day trip there from Rome.
As far as Florence, San G and Siena, you stay in 1 central location and take day trips.
I think min. 3 nights are required in Venice. AT least 5 days in Rome is good. Anything less than that would be rushing it, if you've never been (there's just so much to see).
Jul 13th, 2006, 10:04 AM
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I would do 5-4-2-5 and tell hubby that you really need a car, or a driver, to see Tuscany well. You can train to Orvieto and get the car there and then drop at the Florence airport--very easy with no city driving.
Jul 13th, 2006, 08:25 PM
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Wow! Thanks so much for all the info. I guess I better start doing some planning, especially the accommodations.
Thanks again, I really appreciate your input. Guess I'll have to drive! I'll keep you posted.
Thanks again, I really appreciate your input. Guess I'll have to drive! I'll keep you posted.
Jul 13th, 2006, 09:01 PM
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You can see Orvieto as a day trip from Roma. You can train to Firenze and use it as a base to see Siena. You can hire a driver to take you to San Gimigiano or use public transportation from Firenze.
Having a car in Firenze and Siena is a real nuisance and the cost of car may not be worth it. Compare the cost to the total cost of train tickets and see what you come up with. If you rent a car, consider driving it to Venice from Firenze. It might be cheaper than dropping it off in Firenze and buying two train tickets, not to mention it's always nice not to haul your luggage around a train station.
Having a car in Firenze and Siena is a real nuisance and the cost of car may not be worth it. Compare the cost to the total cost of train tickets and see what you come up with. If you rent a car, consider driving it to Venice from Firenze. It might be cheaper than dropping it off in Firenze and buying two train tickets, not to mention it's always nice not to haul your luggage around a train station.
Jul 15th, 2006, 05:13 PM
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I agree with bobthenavigator, seeing Tuscany without a car will present complications. We stayed in Siena as our base in Tuscany and had a very nice apartment that was fairly easy to access with a car (and had free parking) called the Borgo Grondaie, see www.borgogrondaie.com. Search my name for a trip report for more info if you want - we went in September as well.
Jul 15th, 2006, 05:31 PM
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Towlam - sounds like a very nice trip is in store for you. I have a few suggestions:
As said before, you really need a car to see Tuscany. You could rent one at the Rome airport and be in Tuscany in a few hours. The towns you mentioned are nice but there are many others that are more charming and worth researching. Orvieto is nice but some of the towns in Chianti and Val D'Orcia are just heavenly. Do some research on Pienza, Montalchino, Montepulchiano, Castellini in Chianti etc.
Many Posters here recommend Autoeurope for car rental. The driving is not bad at all in Italy, despite what you might here.
You could base in Tuscany and do a day trip to Florence from there.
Do some searches here on Tuscany, click on Bob's name for his recommendations, and see what interests you. Also, go to Slowtrav. com for advice.
A
As said before, you really need a car to see Tuscany. You could rent one at the Rome airport and be in Tuscany in a few hours. The towns you mentioned are nice but there are many others that are more charming and worth researching. Orvieto is nice but some of the towns in Chianti and Val D'Orcia are just heavenly. Do some research on Pienza, Montalchino, Montepulchiano, Castellini in Chianti etc.
Many Posters here recommend Autoeurope for car rental. The driving is not bad at all in Italy, despite what you might here.
You could base in Tuscany and do a day trip to Florence from there.
Do some searches here on Tuscany, click on Bob's name for his recommendations, and see what interests you. Also, go to Slowtrav. com for advice.
A
Jul 15th, 2006, 06:24 PM
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OP may have an easy time overcoming her husband's reluctance to rent a car, but the trip she proposed is doable by train, with the exception of San Gimigiano. A car is not "necessary." And if the OP is going to Rome for 5 days, it is not sensible to rent a car at FCO. At best, IF the OP wants a car, renting it Orvieto makes more sense.
Towlam,
It certainly makes sense do research and Slow Travel has many experienced Italian travelers. Many people (there and elsewhere) think that the art and architecture treasures of Orvieto, Siena and Firenze make for a more rewarding visit to Europe than the Chianti region. Others are less interested and prefer a more rural setting. Likewise, some people find train travel more relaxing than renting a stick shift or paying the expense of an automotic that sits parked most of the time, depending on your itinerary.
It's your trip.
Towlam,
It certainly makes sense do research and Slow Travel has many experienced Italian travelers. Many people (there and elsewhere) think that the art and architecture treasures of Orvieto, Siena and Firenze make for a more rewarding visit to Europe than the Chianti region. Others are less interested and prefer a more rural setting. Likewise, some people find train travel more relaxing than renting a stick shift or paying the expense of an automotic that sits parked most of the time, depending on your itinerary.
It's your trip.
Jul 16th, 2006, 06:34 AM
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Hi tow,
All of the stops on your itinerary are accesible by train or bus.
You would want a car in Tuscany only if you plan on a motor trip.
See www.trenitalia.com for train schedules, prices and tickets.
For Florence to Siena see
http://tinyurl.com/b9mja
For Florence or Siena to San G see
http://www.sangimignano.net/bus/
Enjoy your visit.
All of the stops on your itinerary are accesible by train or bus.
You would want a car in Tuscany only if you plan on a motor trip.
See www.trenitalia.com for train schedules, prices and tickets.
For Florence to Siena see
http://tinyurl.com/b9mja
For Florence or Siena to San G see
http://www.sangimignano.net/bus/
Enjoy your visit.
