First vist Italy - Venice, Florence, and where in Tuscany?
#21
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,718
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You can get a rental car in Chiusi. We stayed in Montepulciano last fall and did day trips to Pienza, Montalcino, and Assisi. We had a car, though. Aside from Assisi, the other towns are pleasant short rides away.
Pienza is about 8.5 miles from Montepulciano; there are walking paths, or at least, less traveled roads.
Pienza is about 8.5 miles from Montepulciano; there are walking paths, or at least, less traveled roads.
#22
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,605
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you decide on Montepulciano, here's another rec for the apartments, and owners, at: http://www.appartamentialpoggiolo.it
We also stayed in #3 which has a lovely little terrace and the grounds/town make for wonderful photos. Even if you don't stay here, check out their site for walks in the area.
Your Paris photos are terrific; thanks for sharing.
We also stayed in #3 which has a lovely little terrace and the grounds/town make for wonderful photos. Even if you don't stay here, check out their site for walks in the area.
Your Paris photos are terrific; thanks for sharing.
#23
Original Poster
Thanks for the info mama_mia and mvor.
Looks like the train from Florence to Chiusi is 1 hour, 15 minutes. Bus from Chiusi to Monetepulciano is 50 minutes.
Then, there are buses heading from Montepulciano to the neighboring towns:
http://www.trainspa.it/EXTRAURBANO.htm
... but I do get the part about having a car!
SCFoodie and mvor, thanks much for the Poggiolo site. It looks great.
Looks like the train from Florence to Chiusi is 1 hour, 15 minutes. Bus from Chiusi to Monetepulciano is 50 minutes.
Then, there are buses heading from Montepulciano to the neighboring towns:
http://www.trainspa.it/EXTRAURBANO.htm
... but I do get the part about having a car!
SCFoodie and mvor, thanks much for the Poggiolo site. It looks great.
#24
Original Poster
I settled on Montepulciano, initially triggered by a suggestion here. I received a prompt reply and was able to book the last available room at Meublè Il Riccio, 100EU / night. It recives excellent online reviews.
http://www.ilriccio.net/english/index.html
Siena is within day trip range, for those who might be disappointed that I did not follow that advice. Renting a car is still TBD; we may wind up with one, hard to say at this time. In any case, I’m left with the felling that this was a no lose decision!
Thanks everyone for your help. Really appreciate it.
http://www.ilriccio.net/english/index.html
Siena is within day trip range, for those who might be disappointed that I did not follow that advice. Renting a car is still TBD; we may wind up with one, hard to say at this time. In any case, I’m left with the felling that this was a no lose decision!
Thanks everyone for your help. Really appreciate it.
#25
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,718
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We stayed at the Politian Apartments; I can recommend them very highly too.
http://www.politian.com/
http://www.politian.com/
#27
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
apart from your look at the Adriatic while in Venice, you haven't yet expressed any interest in experiencing the other wet side of Italy----the Mediterranean. Have a look at the region called Cinque Terre that lies between Genoa and Pisa----small seaside towns, all connected by the Trains that run along the Italian Riviera...plus plenty of walking opportunities in the hills above the coast. You could take a train from Florence to Genoa, then make your way slowly back along the coast towards Pisa.....your local library should have Rick Steve's video on Cinque Terre
#30
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,718
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Nelson,
The hotel looks very nice. You will find some great photo ops in Montepulciano. It's easy to walk down to San Biagio, a lovely photo op. There is some sort of tourist center on Piazza Grande where we were able to book a driver for a reasonable rate for a tour of a winery. Passed some beautiful scenery, and the driver was agreeable to stopping for some photos along the way. I think they offered other day trips, but I am not sure. So I think you should be able to get out of town, one way or the other, even if you do not rent a car.
I seem to remember when while researching M I came across a travel report somewhere by a woman who also did not have a car but managed some day trips. If I can find it again, I will post.
There are many pleasant restaurants in town. My favorite was Diva E Macao. We also liked Cafe Poliziano (great view), Acquachetta, and Quatro Venti Two that we did not get to, which seem to have very good reviews and seem to be considered the best, are Ristorante le Logge del Vignola and La Grotto.
The hotel looks very nice. You will find some great photo ops in Montepulciano. It's easy to walk down to San Biagio, a lovely photo op. There is some sort of tourist center on Piazza Grande where we were able to book a driver for a reasonable rate for a tour of a winery. Passed some beautiful scenery, and the driver was agreeable to stopping for some photos along the way. I think they offered other day trips, but I am not sure. So I think you should be able to get out of town, one way or the other, even if you do not rent a car.
I seem to remember when while researching M I came across a travel report somewhere by a woman who also did not have a car but managed some day trips. If I can find it again, I will post.
There are many pleasant restaurants in town. My favorite was Diva E Macao. We also liked Cafe Poliziano (great view), Acquachetta, and Quatro Venti Two that we did not get to, which seem to have very good reviews and seem to be considered the best, are Ristorante le Logge del Vignola and La Grotto.
#31
Original Poster
mama_mia,
Something tells me that, given that user name, you have an affinity for Italy!
It would be great if you find that sans car, or should I say senza auto, trip report. Thanks for the restaurant recommendations. I'm sure we'll do a winery tour. Found this one, for example:
http://www.avignonesi.it/eng-aziende.htm
mvor, glad you liked my photos, by the way ... thanks.
Something tells me that, given that user name, you have an affinity for Italy!
It would be great if you find that sans car, or should I say senza auto, trip report. Thanks for the restaurant recommendations. I'm sure we'll do a winery tour. Found this one, for example:
http://www.avignonesi.it/eng-aziende.htm
mvor, glad you liked my photos, by the way ... thanks.