Gianna_v

I am planning a trip to Italy with my friend who has a truffle festival visit at the top of her list. I have Val d'Orcia as mine. Is it possible to drive from Arezzo to Volterra, attend the truffle festival Oct 22 (maybe side trip to San Gimignano?), and then spend the night outside of Siena? The next day would be traveling through Val d"Orcia with possibly another overnight stay, then returning to Arezzo Oct 24. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

bobthenavigator

That truffle festiva is on a Sat. and will be a zoo. You may have to park a long walk from the village---are you sure you want that? I would spend 2 nites in San Quirico or Pienza.

Gianna_v

Going to Volterra while it is "zoo like" is not very appealing. Any suggestions on how to satisfy the truffle festival for my friend and also go to Val d'Orcia?

bobthenavigator

No, enjoy the Val d' Orcia in your limited time.
Here are some images to get you excited.
http://www.slowphotos.com/photo/show...at=4553&page=2

zeppole

I think the response you got is a bit unfair. Bobthenavigator is a huge champion of San Quirico d'Orcia, where he likes to take pictures. I wouldn't so automatically take his word that he has any first hand knowledge of the truffle festival. In fact, he repeatedly discourages people from going to Volterra or that area in general because it's steep and he prefers flatter towns.

(Now you will hear howling. He is very popular here.)


Are you and your friend mobility impaired? Do you have to park right next to something you want to go to? Are you unable to walk uphill? If not, I wouldn't base your plans on the opinon of one person.

I think a little googling will net you a wider range of opinion from people who've actually been and blogged about it or done trip reports.

zeppole

Gianna_v,

I just looked up the website for the festival, and they have pictures of festival from previous years. Doesn't look like a zoo to me.

http://www.volterragusto.com/cartell...otogallery.asp

Yes, you will be competing for parking spaces, and if you'd rather not, then don't go. Just be sure that Pienza or San Quirico isn't also having a festival that week-end if parking and walking is a huge issue for you.

It is not far to drive from Arezzo to Volterra. It can easily be done in a day. There are innumerable wonderful places to stay in that area, and from there you can take a scenic drive down through le Crete Sienese and the Val d'Oricia. I have driven more than once from the val d'Orcia to Arezzo. It takes about an hour, maybe a little less. So you can leave the val d'Orcia as late in the day as you like.

Arezzo is a lovely place. And guess what? They have very good truffles in their restaurants in Arezzo.

Have a wonderful trip whatever you decide to do.
Arezzo

Gianna_v

Thank you for your responses. My friend and I are very mobile and don't mind walking. We are basing 2 weeks in Arezzo. One week I will be attending a language course and my friend will be shopping The next week we had planned to rent a car for a few days and go to the truffle festival & val d'Orcia. I do think we can do both. We will just plan to leave early on Saturday morning. Or we just eat have an "all truffle meal"! any other suggestions are most welcome.

bobthenavigator

I love Volterra---always have, and have never discouraged anyone from going. Where do you get this stuff?

Gianna, it is a 2 hour drive from Arezzo. Your call!

Gianna_v

Bob, I did not feel like you were discouraging me from going to Volterra. I value your travel advice, esp Val d'Orcia It is just my friend really!! wants to go to a truffle festival while in Italy. We live in LA, so funky parking and walking won't bother us. We may be staying near Colle Val d’Elsa on Sat, then drive to Pienza and spend the night Sunday. Finish our trip on Monday before we return to Arezzo. I appreciate the travel time information to/from Arezzo...thanks!

bobthenavigator

Have fun !