Need help in decisions for Tuscany towns

Old Aug 26th, 2005, 07:28 AM
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Need help in decisions for Tuscany towns

I am trying to plan our family(me,husband,and 17 yr old daughter) vacation for June 7-17 2006 to Italy for first time, and I need some input.

6/7 Leave from Dallas

I don't have air res.yet as I am hoping rates are a little better later on.

6/8-11 3 nts Rome: Hotel Giardino

train to Florence

6/11-14 3 nts Residenza Il Villino

We will then have 2 nts available to see the Tuscany area( I know it is a short trip)

I would love to find an open jaw and fly home from Florence, but I have a feeling we will be returning to Rome for flight home.

If you had only 2 full days what would you make sure you didn't miss? Siena,San G.,Lucca,Pisa,Montalcino?

Also, would it be better to rent a car so we can enjoy stopping when we want or bus/train transportation?

I know alot of this should probably be based on what our departure city is.
Just thought I'd get ask to see if anyone has a better plan.
I've become addicted to this site and all the trip reports--
Looking forward to any response!
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Old Aug 26th, 2005, 07:48 AM
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On a trip to Italy several years ago, we had a little over 2 days to visit Tuscany. We rented a car, stayed just outside of the walls of San Gimignano (within walking distance) and visited Siena one day and a winery in Chianti the other day. We also had time on that day to visit an olive oil agritourismo between San Gimignano and Volterra. Our evenings were free to explore San Gimignano, which was especially nice after the day trippers had departed. It was our first visit to the Tuscan countryside and gave us just the taste we needed to go back for a longer stay.
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Old Aug 26th, 2005, 08:18 AM
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That sounds perfect to get a "taste of Tuscany". I did find a B&B right in San G.,but the biggest negative was where to park the car.
Did you find it easier to be outside the walls?
Did you rent the car in Florence?
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Old Aug 26th, 2005, 08:32 AM
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For a short stay it depends on whether you prefer larger cities or small towns and villages. My preference is the latter and I prefer the open countryside south of Siena. San G is a little out of the way of the other main areas; it is stunning but very busy during the day in high season. Lucca is a little gem but even further out of the way. I wouldn't bother with Pisa this time.

My favourites are the run of towns taking in Montalcino, Pienza and Montepulciano. All are lovely, but everyone will have their own favourite, and you could do a trip to Siena from any of them.

I've always hired a car as I think it gives you greater flexibility.

Diz01
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Old Aug 26th, 2005, 08:36 AM
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We rented a car in Florence. The parking in San Gimignano is not easy but we had no trouble finding a space close to our hotel. The driving from San Gimignano to Siena and to Chianti was easy and very beautiful.
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Old Aug 26th, 2005, 05:45 PM
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I would say to do 5 nights in Florence, with day trips to Lucca/Pisa (one day) and Cortona/Castiglione del Lago (one day). There's not enough to see in any of these four cities that would warrant an entire day by itself, and they're all within an hour's train travel from Florence and 15-20 minutes from each other. They could also be reached by car. Most importantly, they are in different parts of Tuscany (CdiL is actually Umbria), so that you can see more of the land en route. Cortona/CdiL are on the secondary set of railroad tracks that connect Rome and Florence, so the train goes on a different route and goes a little slower, and you can just gaze and daydream from the train car.

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Old Aug 26th, 2005, 06:29 PM
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Hi R,

If it were me, I would stay near San Gimignano for 2 nights and do day trips from there with a car.

I would not stay in Florence for a full 5 nights since I'm not a big far of Florence. BUT - I think staying outside the 2 major cities for a couple of nights will give you a more balanced trip and overall first impression of bella Italia!

Buon viaggio!
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Old Aug 26th, 2005, 07:30 PM
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I would suggest Siena for sure. My 21 year old daughter has been there for the past 6 months and LOVES it. It's a small enough place to not be overwhelmed with, but is a university city and buzzes with energy--lots of young people from all over studying there. And it has wonderful restaurants and is central to many other small towns.
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Old Aug 27th, 2005, 07:46 AM
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In general, I agree with Dayle that staying in a "rural" Tuscan city like San Gim or Siena would provide balance and contrast to Rome and Florence. However, I think an overriding concern needs to be minimizing the number of cities you're based in. With only 10 days -- 2 of which have to be dedicated to flying across the Atlantic -- being based in 3 cities (Rome, Florence, and ____) allows you to get that city-vs-small-town balance but at the expense of added schlepping.

Yes, taking day trips from Florence to Lucca and Pisa, or Cortona and CdiL like I suggested isn't not schlepping, but it does not also involve checking out of a hotel, getting your family plus luggage from Point A to Point B, and checking into the new hotel. Spending the 5 nights in Florence allows you to get to know Florence better than you can with only 3 nights. Maybe you approach the Duomo from a different angle and take a picture of it silhouetted by the early-evening sun. Maybe you find that out-of-this-world ribollità in the back-alley trattoria that you would otherwise have missed. Maybe you and your daughter can by more stuff on the Ponte Vecchio.

If nothing else, it gives you 2 days in the same location to do absolutely nothing. Days of dolce far niente -- "the sweetness of doing nothing," or DFN for short -- are invaluable on a vacation.
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Old Aug 27th, 2005, 10:34 AM
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I would suggest renting a car as you leave Florence and stay in a smaller "hilltown" like Pienza or Monteriggioni. You will love driving around Tuscany, and make sure you do spend half a day in Siena at least...it is a lovely small city with much to offer. (And do try to fly home from Florence).

We stayed in Stove, near Monteriggioni several years ago at a wonderful place named CastelBiggozi. They have rooms, apartments and an inviting pool (which might be a great way to cool off on a late afternoon). The views are astounding in all directions.
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Old Aug 27th, 2005, 10:46 AM
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oops just did a search and it's spelled Castel Bigozzi...
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