3 days in Tuscany
 

In the middle of our Italy trip, we have 3 days to drive through parts of Tuscany. We may even pull a 4th day away from our Florence itinerary. We will be renting a car and already expect to see Sienna and Greve in Chianti.

I know there are countless hill towns but we were probably going to choose just one or two in addition to the above so that we could enjoy them.

Any suggestions of your favorite attractions (places) on what not to miss?
Any favorite places to stay along these routes?

Thanks for any and all help.

- San Gimignano as the most spectacular - and unique - hilltop town.

- Volterra as a historic town with a rich Etruscan heritage.

Stay near or south of Siena--include the 2 above--and add Montalcino, Pienza and Montepulciano. Greve will hardly compare to those. Have fun !

Are you going to see any coastal towns? The Cinque Terre would be the obvious choice, but there are others, of course. The coastline is gorgeous there.

Cinque Terre is beautiful but is out a little bit out of morrowd's itinerary (and it's not in Tuscany, but in Liguria). I agree with other suggestions: San Gimignano, Volterra, Pienza and Montepulciano are "must" in the area between Florence and Siena. I prefer S.Quirico to Montalcino. The fiorentino Chianti is nice, but I definetely suggest to explore better the province of Siena.

Yes, I know where Cinque Terre is. I am suggesting it as a good contrast to hill towns.

Thanks for all these great suggestions. Cinque Terre was on our original itinerary but took it out for this trip so we wouldn't be running every which way and could get a little R&R while on vacation as well. Thanks for all the help.

I agree with others--in 3 days assuming you will later visit Florence--include Volterra, San Gimignano and make certain to travel the Montepulciano, Pienza, San Querico, Montalcino circuit. If you can swing it , the abbeys at San Antimo and Monte Olivetto are worthwhile as well.

I'm a big fan of wine and enjoy the chianti area which includes Greve and its Cantina which allows a wide variety of tastings--but it takes a lot of effort and time to visit. An excellent option if you are in the Greve area is to visit Dario's in Panzano (just south)--world famous butcher and meat purveyor. We ate at his "McDario's" out back and had a fabulous "burger" with all the trimmings--potatoes, garnish, wine--for 10 euros--memorable!