2 Days to fill in Tuscany
 

Ciao,

Well our trip agenda is almost complete and I need your expert advice to fill 2 days in Tuscany.
We start off October 1 with a driver taking us from Rome Airport to Positano where we have a place for a week.
Then we go to Sorrento to pick up our rental car and we will stay 3 nights in Siena. The last 2 nights will be in Rome and we will be dropping off the car in Orvieto and taking the train to Rome.
So we need suggestions to where to go after our 3 days in Siena knowing we have 2.5 days before dropping the car off?
Go to the Umbria region, Lucca, San Gimgnano ? Spend the last 2 nights in Orvieto ? Don't want to go north, and am concerned if we go too far east we will be driving too much.
This is our first trip to Italy and much of our travel agenda has been based on your well traveled advice!

regards, Mike

With the car and Siena as a base, what are your plans for day trips? Chianti or south of Siena?

Lucca is the opposite direction from your goal of heading toward Orvieto. San Gimignano is very close to Siena and an easy day trip.

You could spend the additional nights in Siena, exploring the region. 3 nights will only be scratching the surface of Siena and the surrounding areas. With 5 nights, you could split your days visiting towns, sights and countryside north and south of Siena, explore Siena itself, and still not have enough time.

If that doesn't appeal to you, consider the area near Pitigliano for your additional 2 nights. It is on your way toward Orvieto. Or, you could spend the time in and around Orvieto. With either, I recommend driving the SR2 south toward your destination. It is a lovely drive.

http://www.pitigliano-toscana.com/

I'd suggest you consider a small town in Umbria - Spello maybe? I can't give any specific recommendations, because we've not spent a lot of time in Umbria, just short stops/stays in Orvieto. But we will be staying near Spoleto for 2 weeks this fall, so I've been checking out driving tours of Umbria and know there will be plenty to keep us interested.

Zoecat, good idea, we are staying at the Palazzo Ravizza in Siena for 3 nights and I guess we could extend for another couple of days. I do hate packing and unpacking, so 3 bases for 2 weeks would be more relaxing, Positano - 6 nights, Siena - 5 nights and Rome 2 nights. We will be the ultimate day trippers !

Mike

I agree with uhoh. Umbria, taking advantage of your having a car. But I like Bevagna as a base. It's on the flat, easy to get in and out of. Possible daytrips: Assisi, Spello, Montefalco, Todi, Spoleto, Deruta, and so on.

I liked Assisi very much.

madmikey - if I'd read this thread a week ago, I wouldn't have known that Pitigliano even existed. now i can't stop raving about it. Imagine Orvieto without the crowds! and the area is lovely - for a unique experience you could try the natural [and free] thermal baths at Saturnia, followed by a fantastic meal at nearby Manciani.

it's well within reach of siena, as are several other virtually untouched hill towns, and you could hardly go wrong spending your two days here.

annhig,

I am reading your report and can't wait to hear more about the school, Orbetello and Maremma. Did you get a chance to also visit Sorano near Pitigliano? It's one of my favorite towns to visit and photograph. There is a fantastic wine bar/cantina housed within a cave- Osteria L'Ottava Rima. I highly recommend a visit for the atmosphere, art, wine and great local snacks. Here is a link-

http://www.cantinaottavarima.it/home.html


madmikey,

I highly recommend a visit to the Abbey San Galgano, located south of Siena. It is a fascinating abbey and very unique. Google for images.

Along with a detailed map, I have found two guidebooks to be very useful when exploring the area. The Insight Guides Tuscany and the Rough Guide Tuscany and Umbria.

Have fun!

zoecat - no we didn't make it to Sorano but it looks delightful and I have added it to my italy folder as I am determined to get DH to come with me on a trip to the area next year sometime. thanks for the link and for the guide-book recommendations. they will be very useful.

my TR is up and running if you are interested!