lfingerman

We need to get from Rome to Montepulciano and Trentalia doesn't list anything--Where can I find information about trains. Also, we need to get from Florence to Venice. The only trains shown on Tentalia are at night, getting in around midnight. How do I find a morning train?

Thanks.

Dayle

L,

Rome to Montepulciano - there is no train station in Montepulcian. The nearest I know of is Chiusi, where you need to either rent a car or take a bus. You REALLY need a car to see Tuscany!

Florence to Venice has trains all day and night. You probably need to make sure you are putting in the right time in the search box on the web site. Europe uses military time, just in case you didn't know.

Buon viaggio!

lfingerman

I am not getting much for Chuisi or Florence to Venice. Could it be because I am looking for trains at the end of December? Have they not loaded trains that far out? When I put in an artificial date nearer today there are options. Do trains run the same time everyday? Do I need to buy ticket before hand around Christmas and New Years?

Thanks.

Zerlina

The Trenitalia schedule changes once a year, on or about December 9 this year. The changes are never more than a few minutes one way or the other.

Italians (who are, after all, the heaviest users of the train system) don't travel much at Christmas; they tend to stay at home for what is very much a family holiday in Italy. New Year's may be busier. You can buy your Florence-Venice ticket when you get to Rome. If you travel with a fast ES train, a seat reservation is included in the price. Ask for the Amica fare that gives you 20% off the regular fare.

annhig

Hi, lfingerman,

further to what Zerlina said, put into the search engine a closer date, but the same day of the week - eg if you are travelling on a sunday, no point in putting in a Monday!

that will give you an idea of what normally runs that day of the week.

regards, ann

Lily

We took the train to Florence and rented a car to travel to Montepulciano which was an easy drive. Otherwise you would have to get the bus from Chiusi.

ira

Hi lf,

How long will you be in Tuscany, and when?

lfingerman

Thank you all for your help! In response to Ira, my husband and I will arrive in Florence on December 18th. We will rent a car and travel around Tuscany for 6 days. On the 23rd our adult children will take a train from Rome to Montepulciano (or I guess Chuisi, based on this advice)! We will arrive in Florence on the 24th and on the 28th we will take a train to Venice. We will leave Venice on the 1st. Any suggestions with that itenerary, like small local restaurants, other sites, etc. would be really appreciated.

Thanks.

annhig

hi again,

I'm stil confused - are you meeting up with your young? if so, where?

the itinerary for yourself so far is pretty easy, if I may say so. Am i missing something?

regards, ann

lfingerman

Ann--

Sorry, I was vague. We are meeting up with our kids in Montepulciano or chuisi and will be with them the rest of the trip. So, any suggestions for Central and Southern Tuscany and Florence and Venice would be appreciated.

Thanks.

ira

Hi lf,

Why are your kids going to Montepulciano?

Can't they meet you in Florence on the 24th?

lfingerman

Ira--

I thought that it would be nice to give them a taste of the Tuscan countryside, medieval villages, etc. We will explore one or two and then stay in San Gim all night. Does that make since?

Thanks, Lynne

annhig

hi, again,

why not just stay in M'ciano that night and use it as a base for a bit of touring. i can't see the advantage of meeting there and moving onto San Gim.

then move onto florence. [in fact two nights in M'ciano might be a good idea].

regards, ann