DeborahAnn

I know one week in Tuscany will not be enough time but for a first visit I'm trying to not overload our days. We will be there the middle of October so I expect it won't be "relax by the pool" weather.

For my itinerary's first draft I am planning one day for Siena, one for Volterra, one day to explore the Chianti region, one day for Montpulciano and Montalcino and their wines, one day for Arezzo and one day yet unplanned. I hope to explore the sights surrounding the towns as part of each days travels.

We are staying in Monteriggioni which is only 16 miles from San Gimignano so I thought we could visit there before dinner one evening.

I use Michelin Guides to check for recommended towns which is why I put Arezzo on my itinerary. It is the farthest driving distance from Monteriggioni and I'm wondering if I should keep it or replace it with the closer Chianti castles, or more wineries or the abbeys in Tuscany. I've gotten so many helpful suggestions from my questions here that I'm finding much more to see in Tuscany than time allows.

For some trip background our week in Tuscany comes after 8 nights in Verona, 4 nights in Venice and 4 in Florence; then after Tuscany we spend a couple of nights in Bologna. This is our third trip to Italy but the first to all places on our itinerary.

The main reason to visit Arezzo seems to be the frescoes at San Francesco. Are there many other sights that draw visitors to Arezzo? Would Arezzo be atypical for a first visit to Tuscany--I do like to include the uncommon

I would appreciate comments and recommendations regarding my itinerary. Thank you, Deborah

matera2019

It would certainly be atypical.

Arezzo has an exceptional amount of interesting architecture, and it's unusual, sloping central piazza is particularly handsome. Arezzo is a big draw for antique and collectibles lovers. There is a crowded open air market held regularly, but also the historic city is crammed with antiques shops. Overall shopping is good in Arezzo (for clothes, regional ceramics, gourmet item, etc, often at slightly better prices than you find in the main tourist draws).

While it is not tricky to drive into Arezzo (you can also go by train), ou should spend some time with your Michelin map beforehand locating a public parking area on the periphery of the centro storico (which has no-go areas for non-resident cars). Many tourists are put off by the approach to Arezzo, which has a lot of modern development. It's not a pristine fortified town sitting on a hill, but one of Tuscany's most open and most important commercial centers for trade. The fact that it has an economic life other than tourism makes for a livelier local atmosphere, in my experience, and more interesting restaurants. October is a good time for Arezzo's mushroom and truffle laden cuisine.

I don't particularly enjoy touring castles or wineries, so can't help you out there. Some lovely towns to visit nearby that are uncommon are Lucignano (near Arezzo) and Buonconvento, which is especially convenient to the Abbey of MonteOliveto, and thus nice for a lunch stop (it has good places to eat). It was a stop on the old via Francigena (San Gimignano was too) and it has unusual architecture (including a smattering of Art Deco), an important small museum of sacred art, and a museum that honors the traditional sharecropping communities of the immediate area.

You could easily leave that day unplanned and play it by mood and weather.

UmoDiViaggio

i would put Firenze (Florence) on my list well before Arezzo. Arezzo is a beautiful city:.. but to go to Tuscana and not see Firenze ! it should only take you 1.5hr to drive there or take the train. and IMO you do not need a whole day for Voltera.

adrienne

Arezzo was typical for my first visit to Tuscany for the Pierro frescoes. You need timed tickets now. When I first saw them you just parked in front of the church and walked in and spent as much time as you wanted.

I seem to remember visiting a house or another church there as well but I can't remember. I'm always sorry when I don't do trip reports upon my return. I just looked it up - it was Vasari's house, very near the church with the frescoes.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/de...n-Tuscany.html

I also went to Monterchi for the Pregnant Madonna - well worth the trip.

adrienne

If you can get to Monte Olivedo Maggiore for the frescoes that would be a treat. Fabulous place.

I didn't think Volterra warranted more than half a day. You could combine it with San Gimignano or some other town in the area.

UmoDiViaggio

agree with adrienne: stop at town of Buonconvento , close by is Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore, also 4k from there is Bibbiano castle. they are on the way to Montelcino.
travel tip: do you have a GPS (TomTom) , if so load all these towns in BEFORE you leave.

Jean

Actually, your Montepulciano-Montalcino drive takes you the greatest distance from Monteriggioni. If you wanted to add the Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore (highly recommended) and/or Pienza, San Quirico (both recommended), you've got one very long day. (I haven't been to the Bibbiano castle mentioned by UmoDiViaggio, so can't comment.) I would use the 'extra' day for a second day trip in this direction. If you decide to go to the Abbey, you need to time your arrival carefully. The entire place closes to visitors for a couple of hours at lunch time. There is a restaurant with a nice terrace near the entry gate.

http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/tuscany/monte_oliveto.htm

Jean

To each his/her own. We spent an entire day at Volterra and didn't see everything we wanted to, so we returned for another full day on a different trip. If you're into the Etruscans, there's a lot to see in the city (Etruscan museum) and out of the city (Etruscan tombs and Etruscan and Roman ruins). If you're into local crafts, there are alabaster carving studios, many alabaster shops (some of higher quality) and other artisans (reproductions of Etruscan statues, hand-knit goods, jewelry, etc.). We also noticed Volterra was a little 'old school' in that some things closed down for lunch.

Tesana

Jean, actually Montalcino to Abbazia di Monte Oliveto is only about 20k,i have done it before, i think if you plan the day very well, look at the map, get the towns into your GPS and get an early start you can do it. it does make for a long day.
i trust DeborahAnn you have a DD !

Maggiorehttp://www.castellitoscani.com/italian/bibbiano.htm

Jean

Yes, Montalcino to Monte Oliveto is a short distance, but the OP is starting from Monteriggioni and wants to go to Montepulciano and Montalcino too. That's already over 3 hours of driving not including time needed to park and walk into the towns, stroll through the towns, lunch, wine tasting/shopping, etc. The day will slip away very quickly. Add Monte Oliveto, and the OP would need another 1.5-2 hours for the detour and time needed to walk between the parking lot and abbey buildings. Earlier stops in Pienza and/or San Quirico (which the OP will pass through anyway) would likely eat up the time needed for Monte Oliveto (which they'd have to reach by 5:00 p.m. to see anything). Yes, you can get an early start, but there's no point in arriving anywhere before shops, churches and restaurants open (unless you're only interested in architecture and views).

Decisions, decisions.

Tesana

yes, long, day, i do not do that, but if the OP wants to squeze in as much as posssible,in a short time, its got to be done, set a time schedule and keep on it. leave the towns at a set time. you are your own tour bus.
that is why i asked if she has a designated driver.

DeborahAnn

Thanks for all the comments. When I plan out a day trip 1 1/2 hours is the maximum drive we make. Viamichelin shows Montepulciano is 65 miles from Monteriggioni, about 1 1/2 hours. My Designated Driver is a great companion so being in a car that long is not a hardship and we have a very reliable GPS. We are always very careful to limit the amount of wine we taste so there will be no worry of impaired driving.

When we were staying in Umbria, near Assisi, we did a day trip to Orvieto, 58 miles, 1 1/2 hours and we did not feel we spent the entire day on the road.

Montepulciano will be a long day, starting early and coming back probably late, but I also expect it will be worth the effort.

Adrienne, thanks for your comments about Arezzo and Monte Olivedo Maggiore. I may have seen your postings about Arezzo previously.

Jean, I am looking forward to seeing the alabaster studios as well as the Etruscan museum in Volterra. We will be able to fill our day with points of interest along the way.

If we don't go to Arezzo, then planning two days for the Montalcino/Montepulciano area would not be too much driving for us "road warriors"

Thanks again for the comments and suggestions. Deborah