help with Tuscany Florence
 

We're renting a car in Rome and driveing to Florence. I'm looking for accomadations in Florence, no more than $250 US a night. On the way we have two nights to stay on the way. Thinking Siena, Chianti, San Gimignano. Do you kit's possible to hit two of them in one day? If not I have to choose two. Which?? Should I stay in the city or the outskirts. I would like something on the romatic side in the two cities outside of Florence. Thanks in advance for all your input.

Siena! I think it's a great city. If you do one night in each of two places, then try San G. It's quite excessive IMHO during the day (tourists and a strip of tourist shops) but I imagine after nightfall, it's charming. BUT Siena would be my choice.

Hi J,

FYI,

Chianti is a region, not a town.

((I))

My suggestion would be to head directly to Siena after leaving Rome. Spend the afternoon and evening exploring the town. We stayed at Hotel Santa Caterina, just outside Porta Roma, which was very accessible with a car.

The next day get up early and explore the countryside - San Gimignano with a short visit to Monteriggioni, a small walled town, on the way back to Siena on S2. We did San G in the morning and the crowds were very tolerable. We even found a space in the parking lot at the top of the hill across the main entrance. There were lines waiting to get in when we left.

Spend the second night in Siena. Up early the next day on the way to Florence on S222, the Chianti road. You should have ample time to explore along the way. And it is simply stunning countryside!

Please keep in mind there is a "no Driving" zone in Florence when making your hotel reservations there...driving is not fun in Florence so once you get there you will probably want to park the car and walk or take public transportation

Thanks for all the great info.
ira thanks wasn't aware, I'm a novis in the Tuscany area.
Toni We get rid of the car in Florence but we might consider getting rid of it in the closest town and take the train in. I've heard alot of awful things about driving in Florence.

We stayed at Hotel Silla in Florence in 2001. We've recommended it to friends often. Very clean, walking distance to the center of town and a very pleasant and helpful staff.

Ira, Chianti is not a "region." It's an area of Tuscany, and Tuscany is one of the 20 "regions" of Italy.

Hi cmt,

Thanks for the clarification.

((I))