suego

I am planning my first trip to Italy end of April. I want to spend 4 days in the Tuscany region. Should I pick one place and stay all 4 days, taking day trips by car? Or move around? Any hotel recommendations?

peggi

I would opt for the "stay in one place" option...I think you will get more of a feel for the region. We stayed in an agriturismo called Metina (you can easily find their web site) & liked it very much...it's near Montipulciano. Easy to do Orvieto, Montalcino, etc. from there as day trips. Metina is in a beautiful setting; they grow olives for oil and grapes for wine. It would be difficult to do Florence as a day trip from there but it could be done.

PamSF

I agree with Peggi ..stay in one place with day trips to others. The area she has mentioned was my favorite in Tuscany. I would also say do not miss Siena.I can't recommend hotels as we stayed in an apartment in Chianti.

suego

Ladies,
Thank you so much for your help. I will look for your recommendations.

LeslieC

I agree with the above recommendations. Would just add that there are basically two kinds of agriturismo to consider: B & B style (some including dinner) and the self-catering style villa or apartment. If you are traveling along or just two of you, I'd look for a place that includes some meals in communal dining with the other guests. This greatly enhances your experience if you are the least bit social and want to have some people-experiences to go with your sightseeing experiences.

We stayed 4 nights at an agriturismo of this kind near a small hilltown called Citta della Pieve, right on the Tuscan/Umbrian border. It's called Madonna Della Grazie (www.madonnadellagrazie.com).
We dined at one table family style with a total of about 10 guests, including our family. The host family was very nice. This was quite convenient to Montepulciano, Pienza, Arezzo, or Orvieto. We also made a day trip to Assisi. They have a pool (too cold in April) and the papa, Renato, will take you horsebacking riding on Sunday, if you like.

The only problem is that this is a little less conveniently located for day trips to places like San Gimignano or Lucca.

debbier

I prefer to move around so I would do two nights in a place like Montalcino and then two nights around Siena and San Gimgnano. I like to get the feel for a place in the evening and not just see a town by doing day trips.

e_roz

I agree w/Debbie, I would do 2 days in S Tuscany (south of Siena) and 2 days further NE towards Lucca (Minateo?). We are going for 6 days with the first overnight in Florence, then renting a car and heading to the hills for the rest of the time. Good luck!

LisaSusan

Suego - your thinking along the same lines as me ....

My husband and I are currently booked for 2 nights in Venice, 3 nights in Florence, with 3 nights left over to tour the rest of Tuscany.

What do you all think about this itinerary? Does it make sense to spend less time in florence and to do more day trips?

We'll be there end of April through early May.