Hi: My husband, 21 year old daughter and myself are planning a few days in Florence with a few days in Tuscany area mid April. Reading books, I see that we can drive down to Siena via either the N222 road through the Chianti Classico wine-growing region which should take 1 hour + stops along the route at some wine estates offering free tastings- OR - we can leave the N222 road at Castellina in Chianti and drive east, stopping in Radda and then heading south on the N408 and N484 to Castello di Brolio for a well organised guided tour of the vineyards, castle and winery and Asciano. How long should the 2nd route take and is it worth it? Overnight in Siena. Day 2 Siena, Aciano, abb. di M. Oliveto Maggiore and back up to Volterra and sleep in San Gimignano. Day 3 Drive up to Pisa, Lucca and back to Florence. <BR>Can you please advise me if this itinerary works well, should i eliminate or add other places. Thanks very much - I think this forum is phenomenal! Geri

It sounds very good to me. I have misplaced my map (lent it to someone, no doubt, so route numbers are a bit hard). We left Florence at about 9:00, drove to Greve where we walked around for a while, then to Radda, and then to Castellina where we waited for places to open and had lunch there (so it must have been pretty early). We then drove to San Gimignano and arrived there about 2:30. (We stayed there for three nights and did day trips to the other places you mention.)Yes, definitely take that route, then on to Siena. <BR>Don't miss the little town of Monteriggioni (a short stop, but quite an interesting little place), and also hope you will get to Montepulciano and Montalcino. For point of reference, it took us 1 1/2 hours to drive from San Gimagnano to Montepulciano. We also have stayed in Pisa and Lucca,both of which we enjoyed (Pisa, especially at night), but if things are hurried, I'd skip Pisa to spend more time in Montepulciano and Montalcino. You'll be surprised how short the driving distances and times are, or at least we were.

Hi Patrick: Thanks very much for all your information- I will try to include those extra stops and perhaps stay 2 nights in San Gimingano - any hotel recommedations in Siena & San Gimingnano - 3* range - and is it a must to book in advance?

I think you are wise. Several people have knocked San G. on this site as being just too touristy. We thought it was wonderful, but then we left everyday and returned for wonderful evenings in the quiet square and dinners at wonderful restaurants overlooking the valley. Our last day there we returned mid afternoon and were surprised by the mobs of tourists. Then we realized what a big day trip destination it is. The evenings are the best time there. We stayed at Leon Bianco right on the main square (with the cistern (well)). It was very nice, 3star. The parking was fun because the guy parked the car inside a garage that held about 20 cars, but everytime someone wanted one, he'd have to back about half of them out into the square to get the right one. La Cisterna is a larger hotel also on the same square. We had a wonderful dinner there. The fax for Leon Bianco is 011-39-577-942123.

I'd recommend two nights in Siena instead of 2 nights in San Gimignano. You can see San Gimignano easily in an afternoon, while you can spend forever exploring Siena.

Marija, maybe you missed the point of Geri's request. They aren't looking to spend two of their total three days in Siena or anywhere else, but want to get a flavor of a number of places. San G. is not a good place to spend two days, but it simplifies the hotel checking in and out, transporting luggage, etc. and using as a nice night time base while going out to the areas they want to explore and the towns they want to visit. It is in fact, a delightful place to spend two nights, while not staying there during the day at all. But I realize we all have different likes and dislikes. Some people love the idea of spending a week at some deserted Tuscan villa. I couldn't possibly stand that. I want to go out before and after dinner, stroll around a village, etc, not sit and stare into space all evening in the countryside and certainly not drive somewhere for dinner and wine, then drive back a dark Tuscan road after drinking.

Patrick - it sounds as if you feel San Gimignano is a better spot to use as a home base than Siena for day trips - is it because of its location within the surrounding sites or because you think it's a nice town to come back to for the evening?

And last but not least - although right now our plans are to rent a car and drive around Tuscany for a few days - if you tell me we can see just as much by staying in Florence at night and daytripping to Siena - San Gimignano- Asciano,Pisa, Lucca, Montepulciano etc. please tell me - simply because my husband is not as thrilled about having to drive. Thanks once again, Geri

I vote for staying in San Gimignano. It is delightful in the evening after the tour buses are gone. There are good restaurants there, as well, and it is a good home base for day trips. I have not stayed in Siena, but would stay there also. It is entirely different from San G. in that it is much larger, a lot more things to do and see within the town itself. Driving in Italy isn't all that bad. Get a good map and stay calm. The first few times I was passed on the road were pretty interesting - Italian drivers don't leave much space before they pull out to pass and again when they pull back in. Enjoy your trip. Tuscany is where I would want to live if I didn't live in California!

Hi geri. Your itinierary looks good. My husband myself and my 14 yr old daughter spent some time in Italy recently. We really liked Pisa - the general atmosphere - the leaning tower is in a terrible mess, although there is plenty more to see in the square. It's good driving country - We did not enjoy staying in Florence. We've tried it twice now and it's all very hectic and expensive. I would not base yourself there. That's all I wanted to say. I know you'll have a great time. Julia

Geri, although in principle you may explore some (or even much) of Tuscany on day trips out of Florence, this is a no no at least in my book (for me, a single daytrip out of Florence, be it with an organized tour or by myself is just about the maximum I can take). On the other hand, driving in Tuscany is very easy, so much fun and certainly the best way to get to a number of neat places and sites. <BR> <BR>Regarding hotels, I'll add one more vote for the Patrick's Leon Bianco. We stayed there quiete a while ago and unless somebody says it has gone sour since we would return without a 2nd thought. In Siena I've used from an appartment and pensions when I was a student to 3-star hotels in the old city. Everything considered, our choice hotel there for quiet a while now has been the Chiusarelli (bookings on line at) <BR>http://web.tin.it/chiusarelli/ <BR>It's easy to park even if the hotel's garage is full, all ammenities, very good rates, very nice villa with an internal garden and a pretty good restaurant should you need one on the spot. To the oiazza del Campo it's only a 10-min stroll accross Siena's most fancy shopping street. I wouldn't say the hotel has that much of character and family atmosphere, though. It's a no nonsense type of hotel. One of the advantages is that it's not mandatory to have breakfast in the hotel (you get a very good discount if you decline it). This enables you to have breakfast in the early morning at a caffe overlooking the piazza del Campo ... a unique experience that I consider a must. One other 3-star we used in Siena was the Duomo, more central but more awkward to get to with a car, older facilities, etc. We like the Chiusarelli much better. <BR> <BR>Regarding your original question about routes, I think you shouldn't worry much about driving times. I agree with Patrick that you'll be surprised on hot short driving distances are ... you'll be spending much more time looking for a place where to park and visiting than driving. I think you're being a bit optimistic on the driving time south on S222, though ... From Florence downtown to the Siena old town it should take you more like 1:40 (rather than just an hour). Anyways, your 2nd itinerary should add about one hour to the first ... and I think it's worthwile. <BR> <BR>Finally, I can't resist throwing my 2 cents in this eternal Siena vs. San G discussion. For starters, I'll concede that I'm VERY strongly biased toward Siena ... Having spend nights in both towns, I would never trade Siena for San G. Siena is a true medieval town, with life of its own. First of all, it has HISTORY and this is "in the air you breathe" (just visit the quarters, church and hangout bar of a contrada and talk to people to understand what I mean). It also has an university, quite often it has artistic events in the evening (concerts, expositions, shows, etc) and there's no term of comparison between Piazza del Campo and Piazza della Cisterna at any time of day (even more so at dusk and dawn). San G is cute ... and that's about all. 95% of its economic activity turns around tourism. IMO, the concept that it's much easier to visit Tuscany out of San G. doesn't hold. If you're lodged in a convenient hotel in Siena like the Chiusarelli, it's a piece of cake driving in and out of town. Siena is certainly more convenient as a base to explore Southern Tuscany, Umbria and the Gallo Nero Chianti district (not to mention Arezzo, Cortona and the like). <BR> <BR>My vote therefore goes to: <BR> <BR>a) rent a car; <BR>b) add one night to your plan; <BR>c) take your route 2 in the south; direction and spend the day touring the Chianti district; <BR>d) spend a full day in Siena (2 nights) <BR>e) on the 2nd day explore Southern Tuscany (Monte Olivetto, Asciano, Montepulciano, Montalcino, etc - you could go as far as Orvieto). <BR>f) on the 3rd day explore Monteriggioni, Collo di Val d'Elas, Volterra and San G. (night in San G.) <BR>g) Pisa, Lucca and back <BR> <BR>Paulo <BR> <BR>PS. I finally found a soul that's able to enjoy what best Pisa has to offer ... its nights! Are you aware that we both belong to a rare group, almost in extinction ? <BR>

geri, i concur w/ Paulo's doubts about driving the N222 in about an hour. The local traffic, old cars, people on bikes, vespas, and the occassionally tractor can slow you down. While the scenery is wonderful, if you are trying to get to your next destination this may frustrate you. Personally, I would skip Radda. It is a small, but pretty, town, however, your time may be better spent on a vineyard tour. We much prefer Chastellina in Chianti. Have a wonderful time.

thank you guys for all your great advice! I can't tell you how much I appreciate it. ok - we'll rent the car - take the Castellina in Chianti route and I've turned Florence into 3 nights instead of 4 and added a third night onto Tuscany area instead. I am looking forward to seeing all those beautiful small towns. Now I hope I am able to get some of those hotel reservations you suggested - it's getting late. Keeping my fingers crossed and hope to have a wonderful trip - will report back. Thanks again, Geri

Geri - if you go to this site, you can order a wonderfully detailed road map of the Chianti region for free! I take one with me every year. Have a great trip! http://www.monterinaldi.it/en/