NCtrav

Leave next week for Italy. Now second guessing my Tuscany itinerary.

Staying 3 nights at La Chiusa in Montefollonico.

Day 1 Val D'Orcia (Montalcino, Pienza, Montepulciano).
Day 2 drive to Siena but wanted to include first stopping at San Gimignano then back track to Siena. Drive back to Montefollonico
Day 3 check out and head to Florence via Chianti.

Is Day 2 feasible? Via Michelin says 1h 45min to San Gim so figure even longer. Hate to miss San Gim as had to delete it from previous trip. But wondering that is too much driving consiodering short daylight this time of year.

I was trying to avoid changing hotels but now think I should have changed to one night in Siena--probably too late for that since we depart March 4th.

Thx

citychicnyc

i actually have the same plan to do san gimignano and siena in one day for my september itinerary so i am interested in the responses you will get.

i will be staying in the val d'orica area for 3 days and on my fourth day i want to drive up to explore san gimignano and siena before i take the bus from siena to florence.

NCtrav

My concern is that we would be driving back that night to Montefollonico and see now it would have made more sense to have stayed in the Siena area and then from there explored Chianti the next day and from there go into Florence However, rooms are booked and paid for...not sure I want to make changes now.

willit

My personal opinion is that SG and Siena is too much in a day.
SG is very pretty, but I am not quite sure why it is as popular as it is. Many people feel that it is best viewed from a distance.

The paintings in the main church are some of the most memorable I have ever seen, the view from the main tower is spectacular, the ruined castle is a pleasant walk. For me, the crowds rather detract from the beauty

Siena remains probably my favourite place in Italy (although several run it close) - there is a great deal to see and I feel that hurrying through it doesn't do it justice. If you want to do Siena and somewhere else, might I suggest Monteriggioni on the main Siena Florence road. Small, picturesque and quite doable in an hour or so.

Marija

Where are you coming from to get to Montefollonico? Does it make sense to stop in Siena and San Gimignano on your way to Montefollonico? Enjoy your dinners at La Chiusa!

NCtrav

Tuscany is first leg of trip. Picking up rental at Rome FCO and driving to Montefollonico stopping at Orvieto on way.

Lexma90

It would be kind of a long day trip, but doable if you feel like it.

How about driving first to Siena, spending whatever time you want to there, and then decide whether you want to push on to San G., or return to Montefollonico.

Marija

How about leaving early on day 3 and stopping on the way to Florence? Or you can easily go to Siena from Florence. It takes about an hour by bus. If you still have the car in Florence you can easily see both towns from Florence.

NCtrav

Marija, thanks for the idea on tweaking day 3. Perhaps we can leave early from MF head to San Gim and then to Florence (where we are dropping off the car) and on the way from San Gim to Florence take in a Chianti village. Still a lot of back and forth to that part of Tuscany in two days but -hey-c'est la vie.

bobthenavigator

From that location I would include the Abbey Oliveto Maggiore and the Crete area as you drive to Siena--see your map and the route via Asciano to Siena. San Gim. is just too far from there and Siena deserves a half day.

NCtrav

Thanks Bob. That was my gut as I saw this mapped out and needed you all to confirm it.

Will just haveto decide if worth going to Florence via San Gim or skip it in order to see other Chianti sites on way to Florence.