We only have 3 nights in Florence (2 1/2 days) so we want to head on up there that day.

By the time we find our Florence hotel and turn in the car it will probably be after early afternoon as it is.

Just a word of caution: San Gim has become the Disneyland town of Tuscany. It is so jammed with tourists most days that the original atmosphere of the place is hard to feel. My ideal day trip to that area of Tuscany consists of Volterra (one of my favorite towns) in the morning, with lunch there, then San Gim in the afternoon, with dinner there, so you can stroll around in the evening when the hordes have departed and get a different impression.

If you have any interest in the Etruscans, the museum in Volterra is excellent.

I agree about Volterra--one of the top hill towns. Also, no one has mentioned the best ristorante in Montepulciano--La Grotta near the San Biagio church. Also, the best place in all of Tuscany is :15 north in Montefollinico--the Michelin starred La Chiusa.

Maralyn, I am planning a trip to tuscanny too. How do I get to Volterra by bus from Florence?

Sorry, wetravel, we have always had a car so I can't help with the bus.

Here's a bus schedule for Siena/Volterra

http://www.turismoverde.com/italia/trasport/bus.htm

Volterra was also high on my original list. We may have to stretch these days out a little more and squeeze more in. Darn, this is the hardest part of planning the trip...what NOT to do!

Don't fret, Jeanne. You can always change your mind when you get there! It's Italy -- relax and enjoy!

I confess. I'm a fretter.

=-O

I am reading this thread with great interest because I am planning a similar venture (not until 2006).

Marilyn,
Thanks for the Volterra in the morning/San Gimignano in afternoon idea.
Would that recipe work for other hill towns? Go in the afternoon and stay unitl dinner?
Thanks,
-Bill

Where else are you planning to visit?

Another day trip I like is:
1. Pienza in the morning, with lunch there.
2. Stop in Bagno Vignoni to see the town and hot springs (it's tiny) or swim at the hotel if it's hot.
3. Montalcino in the late afternoon, so you can taste some lovely brunellos in the Fortezza, which has been turned into a wine bar. I believe they sometimes have music in the courtyard as well. Dinner in Montalcino.

Please note that I am not the sort of tourist who is up at 7am and out by 8, so if you are, you might want to adjust accordingly. Actually, if you were going to get going early, you could do Montepulciano, Pienza, and Montalcino, and just skip Bagno Vignoni.

Do not overlook the abbeys at St. Antimo and Oliveta Maggiore. Marilyn has a good idea, but I would start that day at the far point, Montalcino, and then St. Antimo and then Bagno Vignoni and end in Pienza. So much to see--so little time.

Bob, I always forget to mention them because I've never been there. I did love San Galgano, however. Next time...

I'd still rather end up in Montalcino because it would be a shame to miss the best red wines in Italy, and I can't drink too early in the day or I MUST have a nap. So I guess it depends on the preferences of the traveller.

Marilyn and Bob,

Thanks for the ideas.

-Bill

Boy, the more I read this thread, the more tempted I am to take a day off Rome and add it to Montepulciano.

Rome hotels are so expensive! With a budget around 140 euro per night, I'm not very enthusiastic about the choices I'm finding. If we only stay 3 nights we could go up to 160 and have a better choice.

I'll throw in my two cents since I differ from other posters a little bit.

Stayed at Palazzo Brucchi in October, and can't say I'd recommend it. Parking is in addition to your room charge, and it's a wee bit of a hike.

Volterra was very high on my must-see list but, for my friend and I, it paled against San Gi. I wished I'd toured it first, and then San Gi.

We really liked San Gi, and didn't find any of that over-the-top tourist feel in early October. We visited from about 3'ish to later in the evening, and both wished we had additional time to return.

We both thought Pienza and Bagno Vignoni were okay.

But Montalcino (my personal favourite hill-top town), Montepulciano, Montefollonico and the Abbey at Sant'Antimo - wonderful, wonderful!

Have a wonderful time,

Linda

ttt