Hello everyone -- I have been searching these posts for the past several weeks regarding my upcoming honeymoon (in July) in Italy. Thanks for all of the helpful advice you all (unknowingly) have provided me!

Anyhow, I couldn't seem to find much regarding the following. We would like our trip to be a happy combo of sightseeing and relaxing. Because Florence can be hectic, would it be feasible for us to stay in Montalcino and take the train into the city for a day? We would be interested in visiting the Uffizi, Galleria dell'Accademia, and Duomo (main tourist stops) and will make reservations in advance. Is all of this in one day too much of an undertaking? I have been to Florence, whereas my fiance has not.

Montalcino is so much less expensive. We want to splurge on a hotel in Venice, so thought this may be a good option... =)

Thanks for the opinions in advance.

Hi h

I think you have to take buses from Montalcino to Florence.

If you get an early start you can certainly walk up to the Accademia, look at David; walk down to the Duomo, see the church and the Museo; stroll down to the Piazza Signoria and the Uffizi, see the Uffizi; walk to the Ponte Vecchio and back to the bus station.

Since sunset is about 9:00 PM, you might want to take the no 7 bus from the train station up to Fiesole to watch the sunset over Florence, and take a late bus back to Montalcino.

Thanks, ira. =) According to the hotel Il Giglio's website (where we think we would like to stay), they have a train nearby in Buonconvento. We thought we'd cart ourselves back and forth that way... Glad to hear you don't think it's an insane idea, anyhow! =)

On the Il Giglio note, has anyone stayed there? It looks lovely... Thanks again! h.

I frequently take the train from Bounconvento to Firenze. There are many train options in the morning and afternoon but not at night. You can park your car(free) on the street across from the train station (in front of the bar).

Hi Henry --

Are you referring to the station in Florence or Buonconvento?

Thanks!
h.

I don't think it's a crazy idea at all and after staying in Florence in Oct. we wished we had done that - although we would have probably done 2 day trips. Montalcino is sleepy but nice and be sure to not miss Siena (where we wished we had done our day trips to Florence from.)

Hold it a second.

We spent several days in Rome last year and didn't think that was hectic.

Hectic is probably determined by how you do things. Not what's there.

If you don't get up too early, have a loose schedule, take nice walks through different parts of the town, return to your room before dinner and have a nice leisurely dinner, even London, Paris or Rome wouldn't be hectic.

Florence is a small town compared to the above. Excluding museums, a day or two and you will have seen the whole town. If museums are your thing, add some more time.

hlocke 1,
I was referring to the station in Bounconvento. If you want more info on Montalcino (I've been there many times) e-mail me.

Hi Myer -- Thanks for your input. Unfortunately, to me, just being surrounded by too many people gives me the "hectic" feeling. I tend to want to see a lot on trips, so I guess I want to be able to sneak away from all the people at the end of the day. Part of it is our fault for deciding to get married and honeymoon in Italy at the beginning of the high season, too...

swalter518 - thank you for the reassurance. It may be possible that we'll go twice...

Thanks, Henry! As the trip grows closer, I just may take you up on that offer. =)

Do your daytrips from Siena. Montalcino is just a short bus ride away from there, and going from Siena-Florence is faster (and easier) than Montalcino-Florence.

hlokce-
If you decide to base outside Siena, we stayed at a great B & B with a pool that I would highly recommend-Frances Lodge. I keep raving about the place but we really loved it. The owners, Franco and Frances, were wonderful and loved to help us plan our day and it is set just outside of Siena with a beautiful view of the city. Check out franceslodge.it if you are interested.

hlocke 1
For information about Il Giglio check the post by bobthenavigator. He seemed to like Il Giglio and he is very knowledgeable about southern Tuscany. I usually stat at http://www.lacrociona.com/
which is about one and a half miles outside of town. It the same price but there is more room and I enjoy sitting on the patio with a glass of Brunello listening to the grapes grow.

Thank you everyone for the helpful posts! I'll check all of these links. =)

I read bobthenavigator's post and it def. reinforced the desire to stay outside of Florence...

Don't have any great suggestions for you, but I just wanted to ask what your itinerary was thus far. I am also planning a June/July honeymoon in Italy. We're planning to hit Venice, Florence and Rome, with some time on the coast as well. Haven't decided lengths of time in each place. I am intrigued with the idea of staying in Siena for a quieter locale and then doing day trips into Florence. WHere are you planning on staying in Venice?

Hi Jun04ItalyHoneymoon --

We don't want to be overseas for too long, so we're thinking we'll go for 8 nights. So far, here's what we're planning:

Nights 1-3: Montalcino (Hotel Il Giglio); We plan to rail into Florence for one of the days.

Nights 4-5: Cinque Terre (Hopefully Hotel Villa Steno or Baia in Monterosso al Mare)

Nights 6-8: Venice
We're going to try to splash out on Westin's Europa & Regina since I've read here that you can book and rebook over and over after January 1 until you find a deal you like. jodalahh did this and got a stellar room for E300/night. Expensive, but with the pass to the beach/pool at the Excelsior on the Lido, we think it'll be worth it. It is our only honeymoon after all! We've been hostel travellers until now and we're over it. =) Otherwise, we're interested in Casa Rezzonico (http://www.casarezzonico.it/).

Do you have any accommodation ideas thus far? Good luck!