Tuscany help
May 22nd, 2005, 11:52 AM
#1
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Tuscany help
I am in the final stages of planning our trip to Italy this August. We are flying in and out of Milan 8/16 - 8/26, and there are 7 of us.
The first 2 stops, Venice and Florence are roughly planned, and now I am trying to figure out the best way to spend 8/23, 8/24, 8/25 upon departing Florence. I will need to be in Milan the evening of 8/25.
I have rented 2 cars in Florence, picking them up on 8/23 and returning them 8/25, and plan to tour Tuscany. We will take the train back to Milan and we are flying out of MXP.
We like to eat great food, drive through lovely towns, and enjoy beautiful scenery. At this point, I could use some advice on:
- Location to stay in Tuscany for best access to Siena, and possibly as far west as Volterra, and as far south as Montepulciano? We really have 1/2 of one day, then 1 full day to see this area, so any recommendations would be appreciated.
- Hotel recommendations at this location - price range about 150 Euros or less?
- Suggestions for finishing up in Milan - Should we stay near the train station so that we can see some of Milan in the evening for meals/shopping, or if there is not much to see, should we stay near the airport for 10AM flights home?
Thanks for any input.
The first 2 stops, Venice and Florence are roughly planned, and now I am trying to figure out the best way to spend 8/23, 8/24, 8/25 upon departing Florence. I will need to be in Milan the evening of 8/25.
I have rented 2 cars in Florence, picking them up on 8/23 and returning them 8/25, and plan to tour Tuscany. We will take the train back to Milan and we are flying out of MXP.
We like to eat great food, drive through lovely towns, and enjoy beautiful scenery. At this point, I could use some advice on:
- Location to stay in Tuscany for best access to Siena, and possibly as far west as Volterra, and as far south as Montepulciano? We really have 1/2 of one day, then 1 full day to see this area, so any recommendations would be appreciated.
- Hotel recommendations at this location - price range about 150 Euros or less?
- Suggestions for finishing up in Milan - Should we stay near the train station so that we can see some of Milan in the evening for meals/shopping, or if there is not much to see, should we stay near the airport for 10AM flights home?
Thanks for any input.
May 22nd, 2005, 12:34 PM
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For a day and a half in Tuscany, I suggest you skip Volterra. You can see Montepulciano in half a day, and maybe even catch another town.
I would suggest staying someplace south of Siena. Maybe Pienza, which is lovely and has absolutely great food. Latte de Luna is a must.
So, on day 1, pick up the car, drive to Pienza, spend the rest of the day seeing the town. If you like, make a quick stop in Bagno Vignoni, where it only takes an hour to tour the town, or San Antimo for an hour of seeing the Abbey. Either of these can be done on your way to Pienza. In fact, it would be perfect to stop at one or the other on your way to beautiful Pienza, because Pienza itself is best in the afternoon and evening, when things reopen.
On day 2, go to Siena. Plan to spend the day, or most of it. I might change my mind if August 24 is a Wednesday. Wednesday in Siena is market day, and parking can be a nightmare. I am sorry that I don't have a calendar.
I am not a great fan of Montepulciano, and prefer the town of Montalcino as prettier, friendlier, with better shops and food. However, pick one and see it on your way back from Siena. Fortunately, the days will be long and you will have enough light to get in some good visits.
On the morning of 8/25, if you are ambitious enough, you could stop at San Antimo on your way back to Florence, having chosen Bagno Vignoni instead on your 1st day out.
Another little town I love is San Quirico d'Orcia. A nice place for an afternoon on morning visit.
See my recs for food, shopping and more at my Tuscany newsletter site:
http://florencevillas.com/pastnewsletter.htm
You can rely on the 2004 and 2005 newsletters for more up to date information.
I am sure there is a lot to see in Milan near the train station. Do double check train times and figure out how soon you can get there on the 25th... You can probably get there in time to see the Duomo and have dinner.
Where are you returning your car and at what time on the 25th?
I would suggest staying someplace south of Siena. Maybe Pienza, which is lovely and has absolutely great food. Latte de Luna is a must.
So, on day 1, pick up the car, drive to Pienza, spend the rest of the day seeing the town. If you like, make a quick stop in Bagno Vignoni, where it only takes an hour to tour the town, or San Antimo for an hour of seeing the Abbey. Either of these can be done on your way to Pienza. In fact, it would be perfect to stop at one or the other on your way to beautiful Pienza, because Pienza itself is best in the afternoon and evening, when things reopen.
On day 2, go to Siena. Plan to spend the day, or most of it. I might change my mind if August 24 is a Wednesday. Wednesday in Siena is market day, and parking can be a nightmare. I am sorry that I don't have a calendar.
I am not a great fan of Montepulciano, and prefer the town of Montalcino as prettier, friendlier, with better shops and food. However, pick one and see it on your way back from Siena. Fortunately, the days will be long and you will have enough light to get in some good visits.
On the morning of 8/25, if you are ambitious enough, you could stop at San Antimo on your way back to Florence, having chosen Bagno Vignoni instead on your 1st day out.
Another little town I love is San Quirico d'Orcia. A nice place for an afternoon on morning visit.
See my recs for food, shopping and more at my Tuscany newsletter site:
http://florencevillas.com/pastnewsletter.htm
You can rely on the 2004 and 2005 newsletters for more up to date information.
I am sure there is a lot to see in Milan near the train station. Do double check train times and figure out how soon you can get there on the 25th... You can probably get there in time to see the Duomo and have dinner.
Where are you returning your car and at what time on the 25th?
May 22nd, 2005, 12:39 PM
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Thanks Tuscanlife, I really appreciate the information.
We are returning the cars back in Florence, near the train station. We will have the cars for no more than 48 hours, or they will charge us for an additional day.
Thanks Again
We are returning the cars back in Florence, near the train station. We will have the cars for no more than 48 hours, or they will charge us for an additional day.
Thanks Again
May 22nd, 2005, 12:53 PM
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I would consider the hill towns of Chianti. I am especially fond of Greve and Gaole. The main square in Greve is one of the most delightful small town squares, and not yet totally overrun by tourists. They are an easy drive from Florence, have wonderful scenery good food, lots of good but not expensive wine, nice wineries and are generally ideal for the limited time available to you. Some realitively unknown Etruscan tombs too. Write me for info.
May 23rd, 2005, 03:52 AM
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Both suggestions are very nice. The Greve/Radda area is closer to Florence, which might save some time coming back there.
Both areas have great scenery and food. I'm partial to the Montalcino,Pienza,etc. area,but San Gem and Volterra are also nice.
I would not stay near Milan's airport ,if I wanted to see Milan.
Both areas have great scenery and food. I'm partial to the Montalcino,Pienza,etc. area,but San Gem and Volterra are also nice.
I would not stay near Milan's airport ,if I wanted to see Milan.
