I am planning a trip to Tuscany in Mid-October. How much time should I allow for the following towns, and what days should I avoid due to closings? Also, If any of the areas could be skipped, let me know. I will have a car most of the time.

Lake Bracciano, Orvieto, Montepulciano, Pienza, San Quirico d'Orcia, Montalcino
Buonconvento, Abby Oliveto Maggiori, San Galgano, Castellina in Chianti, Radda in, Chianti, Galoloe in Chianti, Greve in Chianti
Arizzo, Cortona
Thanks

Hi JS,

I'll comment on the towns I've visited.

Orvieto - a full day if you want to see lots of different sights; Duomo, underground tour, Etruscan tomb archeological site, well, galleries, shops, great restaurants.

Staying in Orvieto, we did a 1/2 day trip to Civita di Bagnoreggio, and really enjoyed it. Unique and lots of great photo ops.

Montepulciano - could be a full day, bigger than Pienza and Montalcino, more shops.

Montalcino - 1/2 day, it's all about the wine! But be sure to get either lunch or dinner at Grappolo Blu, reservations recommended.

Pienza - 1/2 day

Oliveto Maggiore - I timed my visit for the afternoon open hours - reopened at 3pm. Be sure to check hours for your visit! I spent about 1 hour.

Highly recommend visiting Sant'Antimo abbey 9 km from Montalcino. I enjoyed it much more than Monte Oliveto. Peaceful, beautiful. Go early in the morning for mass in Gregorian Chant and no crowds. At 10 am the abbey opens for "visiting hours" and the tour buses roll in!

Buon viaggio!

Thanks for the info.

The main important thing to remember is the siesta hours. It varies per hilltown. But it starts around 1pm to 3:30 and sometimes later. We had a habit of arriving at a hilltown at these hours. So we spent a lot of time doing nothing. And a minor tip, get a good map. The best maps are the winery maps. Signage can be confusing and unconventional. But if you know where your destination is in regards to a winery, it helps tremendously (even if you have no plans to visit them). But if you do plan to go wine tasting at a winery (as oppose to a tasting room in town) allow plenty of time to drive. We found that the Chianti area is much more spread out.

Search for a market event calendar. They're small but it's nice to experience it.

Castellina in Chianti: less than an hour. Very small town. This was our first stop in Tuscany. They have a Tourist Office here. You can get a free map of the Chianti hill towns. But best to get the winery map at the wine shop a few doors down. (It was the only place open during Siesta and the map was a few Euros cheaper)

Radda in Chianti: 1 hour or less.

Greve in Chianti: 1/2 day (but also visit the outskirts) I believe this is the largest and most developed of the Chianti Hilltowns. I've heard that Panzano (just a few minutes south) is worth a stop, as well.

Montalcino: 1/2 day or less. But we spent the beginning part of the day just outside Montalcino visiting a few wineries. Nice dining options

San Quirico: very small. We stayed here and it is a lovely town. They have several historical spots. But not really worth a visit if you won't be dining here.

Pienza: lovely. 1/2 a day or even less. Stop by on your way to Montepulciano. Unlike the other hilltowns where you skim the outside walls as you drive by, you actually do drive though Pienza on your way to Montepulciano. Nice dining choices.

Montepulciano: most of the day. One of the largest of the Southern Tuscany hilltowns. A lot of attractions

Thank you very much.

Montepulciano - full day would do well here

Montalcino - 1/2 day is plenty. Try Brunnello di Montalcino (its one of the best in all of italy and gets VERY high regards)

San Gimangiano (sp?) is a must. 1/2 day at least. great little town. Famous for its 14 remaining towers. From the top of the main tower in the city (torra grossa) what a view

Sienna is an absolute MUST in tuscany. At least one day is well worth it here.

hello jslee!
You're going to love Tuscany. Others have given good advice. I agree - don't miss San Gimignano. I also agree, the afternoons are not for visiting the towns. The chants are not to be missed at Sant'Antimo (perhaps go there in the afternoon). We found the cemetary by the entrance a fascinating place (I know that sounds weird - I've always enjoyed cemetaries.) Montalcino - not very many "sights" as such, it's about the Brunello. I highly recommend Enoteca Osteria there for tasting (and buying!). Pienza is my favorite. I purchased antique music manuscript pages there that I carefully carted home to be framed. They have charming antique stores in Pienza. Montapulciano - yes, a day. San Quirico - I confess to having spent 2 days there making purchases in the linen store (Dedalo). I love linens (for myself and gifts). I confess, as well, that Greve was not my favorite, nor was Siena. I've been to Siena twice trying to love it and it just was too big and crowded for me. The duomo has a room with beautiful illuminated manuscripts which was the highlight of Siena, for me. Again, watch those afternoon times. Hope this helps...

great suggestions, thanks

Thanks to all