Four nights in Tuscany -- suggestions?
Feb 18th, 2005, 06:01 AM
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Four nights in Tuscany -- suggestions?
We will be staying four nights in Tuscany in mid-November of this year (as part of our 10 day honeymoon). Would you suggest two nights in one location and two in another? Four nights in one place and day trips to the hill towns?
It seems to me that four nights in different towns would be tiring (but I did it when I was there five years ago - and five years younger!)
Suggestions of hotels/b&bs/farmhouses are appreciated. We are looking to spend up to 160EUR/night if possible.
Thank you!
Kate
It seems to me that four nights in different towns would be tiring (but I did it when I was there five years ago - and five years younger!)
Suggestions of hotels/b&bs/farmhouses are appreciated. We are looking to spend up to 160EUR/night if possible.
Thank you!
Kate
Feb 18th, 2005, 07:31 AM
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Hi Kate -- We spent 3 nights at Il Giglio in Montalcino as part of our honeymoon in July. It was perfect -- very romantic and a steal for the price. At the time, we spent 85 Euros/night. The room was gorgeous (#1, I believe) with a giant balcony overlooking the Tuscan countryside. The only downside was the lack of air conditioning, but that shouldn't affect you in November.
We booked the room through Tuscany.net.
Montalcino was a good location, as well. We were able to spend our days driving to Montepulciano, Pienza, and Siena. I'd go back in a heartbeat.
Good luck!
We booked the room through Tuscany.net.
Montalcino was a good location, as well. We were able to spend our days driving to Montepulciano, Pienza, and Siena. I'd go back in a heartbeat.
Good luck!
Feb 18th, 2005, 07:35 AM
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Here's the link to the hotel:
http://www.tuscany.net/gigliotuscan/
If you go under "Photo Gallery", our room was the first 4 photos shown, with lovely double doors out onto the balcony.
http://www.tuscany.net/gigliotuscan/
If you go under "Photo Gallery", our room was the first 4 photos shown, with lovely double doors out onto the balcony.
Feb 18th, 2005, 07:56 AM
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My answer to your question would depend on what you were doing the other six days. If your other days are hectic, then staying in one location would be recommended.
We had a tough time deciding on one town in Tuscany so we decided on a few days in two locations for two different types of experiences: one in the countryside in Castellina and one in a hilltown--Montalcino.
We also stayed at Il Giglio and enjoyed the town very much and, as hlocke1 said, the price was very good.
Looking back at the towns we visited, I would suggest you look at Pienza, Montalcino, Castellina, Greve, Siena and Montepulciano. These towns all offer a diverse group of accommodations as well as many fine dining experiences.
We had a tough time deciding on one town in Tuscany so we decided on a few days in two locations for two different types of experiences: one in the countryside in Castellina and one in a hilltown--Montalcino.
We also stayed at Il Giglio and enjoyed the town very much and, as hlocke1 said, the price was very good.
Looking back at the towns we visited, I would suggest you look at Pienza, Montalcino, Castellina, Greve, Siena and Montepulciano. These towns all offer a diverse group of accommodations as well as many fine dining experiences.
Feb 18th, 2005, 09:29 AM
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We stayed in Montalcino also and found it a little difficult driving in and out and parking. I like staying in small towns because they have a ready supply of restaurants. But no more hill towns! We liked Pienza and for a driving trip, it makes a good base for southern Tuscany.
Regarding your itinerary, you will need the car only in Tuscany. Parking in central Florence is very difficult and highly regulated. The Cinque Terre is more easily reached by train and point-to-point tickets are cheap in Italy.
Have a good trip!
Regarding your itinerary, you will need the car only in Tuscany. Parking in central Florence is very difficult and highly regulated. The Cinque Terre is more easily reached by train and point-to-point tickets are cheap in Italy.
Have a good trip!
Feb 18th, 2005, 02:50 PM
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Cinque Terra is not at its best in November. I'd substitute Rome or Venice.
I think 3 nights in Florence (Tuscany's largest city) plus 4 in rural Tuscany is overkill. Tuscany's rural charms are also not at their height in November.
I think 3 nights in Florence (Tuscany's largest city) plus 4 in rural Tuscany is overkill. Tuscany's rural charms are also not at their height in November.
Feb 18th, 2005, 05:06 PM
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I tend to agree with Rufus about Cinque Terre.
A nice balance of countryside and cities would be to fly into Florence for two nights, drive to Tuscany for four or five nights and end in Venice for three nights.
A nice balance of countryside and cities would be to fly into Florence for two nights, drive to Tuscany for four or five nights and end in Venice for three nights.
Feb 18th, 2005, 07:40 PM
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italykate, if it were me I would not stay in Cinque Terra in November. The coast gets soooo cold.
Regarding how long to stay in locations in Florence I think that truly is up to your tolerance for packing/unpacking, checking out of hotels, checking into a new ones etc plus the travel time.
Also, since it is your honeymoon, and assuming that you will be flying from the US do think about your energy level after wedding preperations, the actual wedding, reception, the flight from the US etc. You could be a bit tired. Weddings can do that to you.
Have you been to Rome in the past? Perhaps you have as you are not planning to there for your honeymoom.
What about flying into Venice and enjoying that romantic city with so much to see, then going to Florence to settle in and then perhaps take day trips to other parts of Tuscany. And if you have not been to Rome then going there and flying home from Rome.
Just throwing out thoughts as I have know idea where you live, where in Italy you have visited before etc.
Whatever you decide, my wishes to the both of you for a beautiful and relaxing honeymoon!
Regarding how long to stay in locations in Florence I think that truly is up to your tolerance for packing/unpacking, checking out of hotels, checking into a new ones etc plus the travel time.
Also, since it is your honeymoon, and assuming that you will be flying from the US do think about your energy level after wedding preperations, the actual wedding, reception, the flight from the US etc. You could be a bit tired. Weddings can do that to you.
Have you been to Rome in the past? Perhaps you have as you are not planning to there for your honeymoom.
What about flying into Venice and enjoying that romantic city with so much to see, then going to Florence to settle in and then perhaps take day trips to other parts of Tuscany. And if you have not been to Rome then going there and flying home from Rome.
Just throwing out thoughts as I have know idea where you live, where in Italy you have visited before etc.
Whatever you decide, my wishes to the both of you for a beautiful and relaxing honeymoon!
Feb 18th, 2005, 07:41 PM
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Hi again, Kate --
Just wanted to comment on the parking in Montalcino. We drove up and parked just inside the wall. There is a large lot just next to the Fortezza and spots were always available. V. easy.
Pienza is wonderful, as well, and you would still be able to easily visit many towns mentioned above.
Just wanted to comment on the parking in Montalcino. We drove up and parked just inside the wall. There is a large lot just next to the Fortezza and spots were always available. V. easy.
Pienza is wonderful, as well, and you would still be able to easily visit many towns mentioned above.
Feb 19th, 2005, 03:40 AM
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Aussie, I have no experience withthe Cinque Terre in October...sorry. You might want to start another thread asking that question. I'm sure there are lots of folks who could give you the advice you need.
As for Montalcino parking, the owners of our hotel parked the car for us each evening on the little streets near the hotel...they were very sweet. We just couldn't handle that hill up to the Fortezza...it is so very steep...but that may not be a problem for you italykate.
As for Montalcino parking, the owners of our hotel parked the car for us each evening on the little streets near the hotel...they were very sweet. We just couldn't handle that hill up to the Fortezza...it is so very steep...but that may not be a problem for you italykate.
Feb 19th, 2005, 04:33 AM
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4 nights in Tuscany from same hotel would give you time to chill out and you can take many day trips from your location, all within 30/40 minute drives, if you are central enough, such as in the Chianti area.
Feb 19th, 2005, 06:34 AM
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The Cinque Terre (5T) are generally a summer destination. Seeing them in November certainly will help you avoid the tourists, but may also be underwhelming because of the season [I don't know, I've only been there in June]. If you want to see 5T, I recommend flying into Pisa instead of Florence...it's better logistically.
The less traveling you can do on your vacation, the better. Venice may very well be a romantic destination, but given the rest of your itinerary, I like your original plan of staying the Tuscany area.
If it were me, I would take the 4 nights in one place instead of the 2+2. Given that 5T isn't a great place to be in November, and to minimize traveling, I would recommend this:
Day 0: Fly into Florence
Days 1-3: Florence
Days 4-8: Southern Tuscany (Pienza, Montepulciano, Montalcino, Siena, etc.)
and/or Umbria (Orvieto, Todi, Perugia, etc.) -- pick *one* base and daytrip!
Day 9: Florence
Day 10: Flight home
If you want to see Venice, either fly into Venice and out of Florence, or vice versa, putting the two cities with airports on either end of your itinerary like bookends. Seeing Venice certainly is doable, but like I said before, I think that it's an unnecessary logistic detour. That said, a Venice itinerary could look like:
Day 0: Fly to Venice
Days 1-3: Venice
Days 4-8: Southern Tuscany
Days 9-10: Florence and flight home
The less traveling you can do on your vacation, the better. Venice may very well be a romantic destination, but given the rest of your itinerary, I like your original plan of staying the Tuscany area.
If it were me, I would take the 4 nights in one place instead of the 2+2. Given that 5T isn't a great place to be in November, and to minimize traveling, I would recommend this:
Day 0: Fly into Florence
Days 1-3: Florence
Days 4-8: Southern Tuscany (Pienza, Montepulciano, Montalcino, Siena, etc.)
and/or Umbria (Orvieto, Todi, Perugia, etc.) -- pick *one* base and daytrip!
Day 9: Florence
Day 10: Flight home
If you want to see Venice, either fly into Venice and out of Florence, or vice versa, putting the two cities with airports on either end of your itinerary like bookends. Seeing Venice certainly is doable, but like I said before, I think that it's an unnecessary logistic detour. That said, a Venice itinerary could look like:
Day 0: Fly to Venice
Days 1-3: Venice
Days 4-8: Southern Tuscany
Days 9-10: Florence and flight home
