What is your favorite or most memorable Tuscan town or village? In 2 weeks we will be making our first trip to Italy where we have rented a villa about 10 km west of Lucca. We will have a car and are looking forward to making several daytrips. Your suggestions for "not to be missed places" would be greatly appreciated.

I enjoyed Volterra a lot. Colle di Val D'Elsa (?) was also nice to wander through the tiny streets. I think the nicest and most relaxed day we had was to Lucca though. Have a good trip.

Good question--but a toughie.
It really depends on location. From your location I concur on Volterra. The region I like best is further south--the Val d' Orcia. But, it is about 2 hours from Lucca. From west of Lucca see Barga and Castelnuovo to the north, and drive over to Portovenere for a full day to the cinque terre. Then, do a loop to include Volterra, San Gim., and Certaldo--a full day. Good luck !

Although it's probably more of a city than a town, I'd say Siena.

The latest issue of National Geographic Traveler magazine has a great article about Siena and the photographer, William Allard, calls Siena's scallop-shaped and gently-sloping Piazza del Campo something like the most "beautiful or striking" piazza in all of Italy.

Our two favorite smaller towns were Cortona & Volterra. SanG looked very interesting but was so packed with tourists on the Saturday morning we arrived that we decided to skip it.

I loved Tuscany! Montepulciano, Pienza and Montalcino in the Southern region were top favorites. We also really enjoyed our one overnight in San Gimignano (after 4pm when the tour buses have left!). A very quaint picturesque lovely city! Castelfiontino (sp?) in Chianti was also a great walk through. We found Cortona lacking after seeing some of the others. Monteriggioni N of Siena is very small but worth a stop. Didn't get to Volterra but have heard good things. There is also the lovely Abbey de Mt Oliveto just S of Siena and N of Buonconvento. Enjoy!

Tough to pick just one, but I'm partial to Greve.

As you will be so near, don't leave out Via Reggio, it's so different from the inland towns, on the coast and has a great little shopping area with open market, the promenade along the beachfront, the Liberty style cafe which Puccini used to frequent and between the train station and the beach, interesting little streets and residential areas.

Siena, by far. It was so lovely and the people so friendly - despite the large amounts of tourists in the town (mid-August). San Gimignano, on the other hand, was totally overrun with tourists because it is such a small town. IMO, SG lacked that particular charm I felt in Siena. Lucca is another favorite I am sure you will like too, not to mention the easiest of the Tuscan towns to navigate because of its relative flatness (a relief after walking up those steep hills in the other towns!)

Actually, I quite liked Lucca! Siena is beautiful too, and Volterra has spectacular views. Don't forget Florence is nearby - and don't be scared driving there, just adopt the local habits and you'll be OK.

We stayed near San Gimignano, and the trick (as outlined in other posts here) is to visit either first thing in the morning before about 10am, or after about 4pm as the tour buses either haven't been or have left and the place is much quieter. It shouldn't be quite so busy in October as in June, though. Also, the work which was going on in the square in June should be finished by now...

Although we have been to Italy several times, for the first time (in Oct.) we will be driving ourselves and visiting almost every town that has been mentioned. You all have made me very excited! However, I am curious Keith_l - what do you mean by the local habits for driving. From the Italian drivers we rode with (and one is our daughter's Italian boyfriend!), they seem to talk on cell phones, gesture wildly and step on the gas. Are there any other tricks we should know? Thanks

Oh, now this thread is taking an interesting turn: Italian driving habits. Here are a couple from me.

1. Always tailgate as close as possible, especially before passing. If they can't see the whites of your eyes in their rearview mirror, you're not close enough.

2. Be sure to have a couple of double espressos before you hit the autostrada. It will get you in the mood.

PS I love Volterra, Colle di Val d'Elsa, Pienza, Siena, and Volpaia -- anyone ever been to Volpaia?

Chiusi. It was the first place we stayed on our first trip to Italy. We stayed at a B&B in the centro historico and it was divine. There were Etruscan ruins in the town park, where we walked late in the afternoon and noticed a group of Italian teenagers who, I assume, were supposed to be doing homework, but of course what DO teenagers really do when they are in a pretty park on a lovely afternoon? We had two fantastic meals in town and the views from the hilltop town were exactly what we expected to see in Tuscany. Later on in our trip, we stayed near Monteriggioni at Castle Bigozzi, and went to an exquisite restaurant in a tiny little town (Abbadia Isola) that you might never know was there unless you were staying nearby. We only were able to drive through Pienza, but I have a feeling that would be a WONDERFUL place to spend some time.

Hey uh oh, we did a farmhouse stay 2 years running in Abbadia Isola! Which restaurant? There were several in the area that were quite good. And the magical sight of Monteriggioni lit up at night remains one of my favorite images of Tuscany.

Panzano . . south of Seina in Greve. Lovely little town on top of a hill, one hotel, one restruant . . both excellent. Great view of the vinyards surrounding it.

Used it as a base camp for a look at the Chanti vinyards.

Rich

May I ask how you found the villa outside lucca? We're interested in the same... any advice you have would be very appreciated! Did you use a travel agent? Did you search online?

Grazie mille!

Helen, it seemed to be to be a case of ignoring everything your driving instructor taught you and keep moving forwards! It didn't matter too much if you were in the wrong lane - just point the car to where you wanted to go and you'd eventually get through (or bump another car!)

The worst was definately the mopeds - I was sitting at the lights when a group of them (they always seem to appear in groups - safety in numbers?) appeared just behind the car. As the light changed to green and I pulled away, one of them shot up from behind on my left hand side before cutting across the car to turn right! The best bit was when he did this I hit the horn, which acted as a bit of a red rag to a bull as he stopped his bike, got off and took off his helmet, and yelled something across the street!

Hi Marilyn,

Yes, we have been to Volpaia! We asked some locals where we could have the best pasta and after many confusing directions we finally found Volpaia and the restaurant (the only one, I think). We sat down at an outside table and waited and waited...there was a "7-11" type place next to it. It was only after we noticed some people coming down some outside stairs that we realized the restaurant was upstairs! Had the best ravoli ever there. And, now it's the only kind I make/ask for in restaurants in the U.S. Sage browned in butter and a little olive oil, chopped garlic, then add the cooked ravoli....so good. Didn't know that Volpaia is famous for it's wine until we got home (and, darn, we didn't buy any there). We did take a walk thru the village and they had just finished the harvest and were washing out the buildings. It was immaculate. We are headed back to Italy October l for a month!!! It will be our third trip. Favorite town? Probably Pienza and Cortona. Loved Orvieto and Assisi, too, in Umbria. Only a week to go! Sasi

sasi, last May in an outdoor cafe in Paris, we struck up an acquaintance with the young couple sitting next to us. They were Germans who had bought a vineyard in Tuscany about a year before and were still getting it in shape. They hadn't bottled any wine yet. When I asked where it was, they said near Volpaia. They were astounded that not only did we know where it was, but we had actually been there.

Time Out Please - My trusty Michelin Road Atlas does not show Volpaia and I'd like to pencil it in. Just where is it please?

It's near San G. I couldn't find it on Michelin but a search came up with it.