Truffles

I have booked a car and driver for a day in May to pick me up in Florence.

Is there anywhere besides the obvious (Siena, San Gimignano, Monteriggioni) that I should request to be taken? Museums are not a priority for me, I am more interested in scenery, and food! I have been to Florence multiple times, and to Siena for a day once, but have never ventured beyond that.

Thanks in advance for any and all suggestions! Apologies for the somewhat vague request.

kybourbon

Have you been to Montalcino (Brunello)? Pienza (pecorino)? You could head that direction and back through Chianti unless you meant you want to include San G/Monteriggioni. Did you book Hillsandroads?

sarge56

I also highly recommend the Abbey at Monte Oliveto Maggiore. Incredible. http://www.monteolivetomaggiore.it/

And certainly your driver should know of someplace he can take you for winetasting at a vineyard.

Buon viaggio!

Jean

I second the Abbazia di M.O.M., but you need to time your visit carefully. The entire place is closed for a few hours in the middle of the day.

Truffles

kybourbon - yes, I've booked hillsandroads, and since I was the first booking, I get to choose the itinerary (I've let them know I'm willing to share the day to bring the cost down).

I don't necessarily want to visit SanG or Monteriggioni, those were suggested by h&r. I haven't been to any of the places mentioned above, so I'll do some reading and let them know what I'd like to do!

Thank you so much for the suggestions kybourbon/Sarge56 & Jean!

kybourbon

Do you want to visit Siena again? Is there a reason you are staying in Florence again? Since Hillsandroads is based in Siena, perhaps staying there instead of Florence would work better.

Montalcino is about 45 minutes south of Siena. The area is very scenic with sweeping views, The Tuscany you see on many postcards is around Pienza. The Val d'Orcia area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site as is Pienza.

The abby mentioned above is south of Siena also (could stop on your way to Montalcino). Another abby near Montalcino is Sant'Antimo (could stop on the way from Montalcino to Pienza). You would want to time that visit for the Gregorian chants.

http://www.antimo.it/

Truffles

I am travelling with two others who have never been to Europe before, so I'm trying to make it a well rounded experience without having to go places I'm not interested in (ie Pisa) - Florence is my favourite city in Italy (so far) which is why I'm going back.

I'm not wedded to the idea of visiting Siena, so am happy to have any and all suggestions of a route that would be interesting!

I've plotted the suggestions above on google maps, and it looks like we could take a circuitous route - Pienza, Montalcino, the Abbey at Asciano and Siena, and if there is time Monteriggioni.

Of course I don't want to feel rushed for the day, so will edit appropriately!

sarge56

Truffles, might I suggest that you bus to Siena early morning and have your guide pick you up there? Because if you're going to do the things on this list, you really waste time driving from Florence south back to that area.

I think the bus is only a couple of Euro and I know it is costing you more to be picked up in Florence than Siena. Just a thought.

(My daughter and I did a tour with Luca Garrapa of Hills and roads and we LOVED it!)

Buon viaggio!

Jean

The route you describe, while geographically logical, isn't very appealing from a sightseeing point of view... unless this day is more about the drive through Tuscany and less about the destinations themselves.

It's about 5 hours of driving. Then add time to walk into and out of the towns from wherever the driver parks the car. If you spend just an hour in each place (another 5 hours) and stop for a nice lunch, I think you've easily exceeded the 12-hour mark.

Truffles

Thank you both - I will look into taking the bus to Siena, and I will ask H&R for their recommendations for the area described.

kybourbon

>>>I think the bus is only a couple of Euro<<<

The bus is about 8€ each way. The latest return bus would be around 8:30 or so. The last train is 9:20 (about the same price as the bus).

San G and Monteriggioni would be more convenient to Florence, but I based my suggestions on your preference for scenery/food (assuming that included wine). Monteriggioni is right off the autostrada between Florence/Siena. If you were picked up in Florence, it would be very easy to stop there on your way further south.

Truffles

Oh, my interests definitely include wine!

I've had two suggestions from H&R with respect to the best route. Now it's my turn to do some reading to decide what I might find the most interesting. Thanks again for steering me in this direction!

Sberg

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