Tuscany Itinerary (without rental car)
Jul 8th, 2007, 06:07 PM
#1
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Tuscany Itinerary (without rental car)
My husband and I are planning a 16-night trip to Tuscany in early October, and have decided not to rent a car -- neither one of us drives a stickshift, and we've determined that renting an automatic (even through a discounter like AutoEurope) is more expensive than a combination of public transport and private tour guides. Any comments on this itinerary? We are both art/architecture fans, love wine and food, and are totally uninterested in shopping.
Day 1: Arrive at Rome Fiumicino in a.m., Leonardo Express to Termini, InterCity from Termini to Arezzo (Hotel Continentale, near train/bus station)
Days 2 and 3: Arezzo, with a jaunt by bus to Sansepolcro and maybe Monterchi for the Pieros
Day 4: bus to Siena (Residenza San Domenico)
Days 5-9: Siena, with assorted daytrips by bus to Florence, San Gimignano, Monteriggioni, whatever else appeals. Many people will probably say this is too much time in Siena, but we've both always wanted to spend some real time there after too-brief daytrips in previous years. We'd like to visit the Uffizi but don't especially want to stay in Florence.
Day 10: Private driver half-day tour/transfer to Montalcino (Hotel Il Giglio) via Monte Oliveto Maggiore with Brunello winetasting
Day 11: Montalcino, with trip to Sant'Antimo by bus or on foot, depending on weather
Day 12: Private driver half-day tour/transfer to Montepulciano (Albergo Il Marzocco) via Bagno Vignoni and Pienza
Days 13-14: Montepulciano
Day 15: Bus from Montepulciano to Chiusi, train from Chiusi to Rome Termini around midday, stay in a hotel near Termini (Alpi)
Day 16: Train from Termini to Fiumicino, fly out.
Does this sound like a reasonable plan? Any red flags? We usually like to spend at least a few days savoring each place, so I'm a bit concerned that we'll be moving around too much, but since distances from one place to another are not huge, I'm hoping it will be OK . . . any comments or advice appreciated.
Day 1: Arrive at Rome Fiumicino in a.m., Leonardo Express to Termini, InterCity from Termini to Arezzo (Hotel Continentale, near train/bus station)
Days 2 and 3: Arezzo, with a jaunt by bus to Sansepolcro and maybe Monterchi for the Pieros
Day 4: bus to Siena (Residenza San Domenico)
Days 5-9: Siena, with assorted daytrips by bus to Florence, San Gimignano, Monteriggioni, whatever else appeals. Many people will probably say this is too much time in Siena, but we've both always wanted to spend some real time there after too-brief daytrips in previous years. We'd like to visit the Uffizi but don't especially want to stay in Florence.
Day 10: Private driver half-day tour/transfer to Montalcino (Hotel Il Giglio) via Monte Oliveto Maggiore with Brunello winetasting
Day 11: Montalcino, with trip to Sant'Antimo by bus or on foot, depending on weather
Day 12: Private driver half-day tour/transfer to Montepulciano (Albergo Il Marzocco) via Bagno Vignoni and Pienza
Days 13-14: Montepulciano
Day 15: Bus from Montepulciano to Chiusi, train from Chiusi to Rome Termini around midday, stay in a hotel near Termini (Alpi)
Day 16: Train from Termini to Fiumicino, fly out.
Does this sound like a reasonable plan? Any red flags? We usually like to spend at least a few days savoring each place, so I'm a bit concerned that we'll be moving around too much, but since distances from one place to another are not huge, I'm hoping it will be OK . . . any comments or advice appreciated.
Jul 9th, 2007, 04:00 AM
#3
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Hi E,
Sounds like a very good plan.
You might find this useful.
A DAY IN FLORENCE:
Bus to Florence:
From Piazza d' Stazione, walk up via Nazionale to via d'Ariento and the Mercato Centrale, wander through.
Take any street going NE to Via Degli Alfani and go right to the Accademia for The David.
Take via Ricasoli SE to the Duomo, the Baptistry and the Opera Museum (Originals of the bronzes on the doors)
From the Campanile, take via Calzaiuoli S (do some window shopping) to the Piazza d' Signoria. Look around, take a break.
Continue S to the Uffizi. Visit.
From the Uffizi, walk W along the Arno River to the Ponte Vecchio.
(You can walk up to the Pitti Palace and the Boboli Gardens if there is time. Great views of Florence from the top of the Gardens)
If you have time, walk E along the S bank of the river to Ponte alle grazie and cross over to visit Santa Croce.
If not, go W along the Arno from Ponte Vecchio to Ponte S. Trinita and go right. Go left on Via d'Spada to via d'Fossi and go right to Santa Maria Novella. Look around.
SMN is across the square from the train station.
Be sure to have lots of gelato (in a cup, not a cone), take some wine breaks and a light lunch.
Train schedules, prices and tickets are at www.trenitalia.com
Bus routes are at http://www.ataf.net/
Buy your ticket before you get on the bus. Stamp it in the yellow box on the bus.
Uffizi and Academia Museum Reservations
The easiest and cheapest way is to call Florence 1016868 (dial around number), 011 (U.S. international access code) 39 (Italy's country code) then 055-294-883 8:30-18:30 M-F and 8:30-12:00 Sat. Florence time. There is a long listing of press 1 for this and 2 for that--press 4 for bookings. You will get an English speaking operator and in 2-3 minutes YOU CAN RESERVE FOR BOTH. This is through the reservation service at the Uffizi and costs beyond the normal entry fee only about 3 euro for the service. This is MUCH cheaper than the commercial booking services.
You will not be charged for the reservations unless you use them.
Enjoy your visit.
Sounds like a very good plan.
You might find this useful.
A DAY IN FLORENCE:
Bus to Florence:
From Piazza d' Stazione, walk up via Nazionale to via d'Ariento and the Mercato Centrale, wander through.
Take any street going NE to Via Degli Alfani and go right to the Accademia for The David.
Take via Ricasoli SE to the Duomo, the Baptistry and the Opera Museum (Originals of the bronzes on the doors)
From the Campanile, take via Calzaiuoli S (do some window shopping) to the Piazza d' Signoria. Look around, take a break.
Continue S to the Uffizi. Visit.
From the Uffizi, walk W along the Arno River to the Ponte Vecchio.
(You can walk up to the Pitti Palace and the Boboli Gardens if there is time. Great views of Florence from the top of the Gardens)
If you have time, walk E along the S bank of the river to Ponte alle grazie and cross over to visit Santa Croce.
If not, go W along the Arno from Ponte Vecchio to Ponte S. Trinita and go right. Go left on Via d'Spada to via d'Fossi and go right to Santa Maria Novella. Look around.
SMN is across the square from the train station.
Be sure to have lots of gelato (in a cup, not a cone), take some wine breaks and a light lunch.
Train schedules, prices and tickets are at www.trenitalia.com
Bus routes are at http://www.ataf.net/
Buy your ticket before you get on the bus. Stamp it in the yellow box on the bus.
Uffizi and Academia Museum Reservations
The easiest and cheapest way is to call Florence 1016868 (dial around number), 011 (U.S. international access code) 39 (Italy's country code) then 055-294-883 8:30-18:30 M-F and 8:30-12:00 Sat. Florence time. There is a long listing of press 1 for this and 2 for that--press 4 for bookings. You will get an English speaking operator and in 2-3 minutes YOU CAN RESERVE FOR BOTH. This is through the reservation service at the Uffizi and costs beyond the normal entry fee only about 3 euro for the service. This is MUCH cheaper than the commercial booking services.
You will not be charged for the reservations unless you use them.
Enjoy your visit.
Jul 9th, 2007, 06:01 AM
#4
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Congrats ! You have done your homework and have a good plan. I still would consider a 3 day rental from Florence getting the Mercedes A car which is not that expensive. You just cannot beat the freedom that a car gives you.
Jul 9th, 2007, 05:36 PM
#5
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Thanks for the encouragement -- and especially to Ira for the great Florence info! Bob, we've gone back and forth a lot on the rental car question -- we might still end up trying it for a couple of days, but it's good to know we can also do without it. Thanks again!
Jul 9th, 2007, 08:03 PM
#6
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emma,
If I had 16 days in the Tuscan countryside, I would definitely want a car. I've drive there twice, last time solo, and it's really a breeze. Very enjoyable in fact!
Good luck whahever you end up with!
If I had 16 days in the Tuscan countryside, I would definitely want a car. I've drive there twice, last time solo, and it's really a breeze. Very enjoyable in fact!
Good luck whahever you end up with!
