If you had 4 days in Central Tuscany where would you go?
Sep 26th, 2010, 01:35 PM
#21
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Here are the favorites of mine that I can think of offhand:
San Gimignano, especially in the evening or morning, after/before when the day-trip crowds are not there (we've stayed IN San G. several times).
Volterra - good Etruscan museum and interesting Roman theatre on the outside of the town walls.
Montalcino and Montepulciano, because we like their wines. Don't like Chianti so much, because we don't like their wines as much.
Monteriggioni because it's just so cute and tiny.
One winery that I know of that serves meals is the biggest, Castello Banfi. Don't know if they serve outside or not.
Re dinner in San G. or anywhere other than Volterra, keep in mind that you would then be driving back on windy side roads in the dark. And if the driver wants to have wine with dinner, remember the strict drink-and-drive laws in Europe. So you may find your dinner more enjoyable if you eat it in Siena. But for lunch, or dinner if you want, in San Gimignano, our favorites are Il Dorando, a member of the Slow Food movement, and Il Terrazze Restaurant, in La Cisterna hotel. Great views overlooking the countryside.
San Gimignano, especially in the evening or morning, after/before when the day-trip crowds are not there (we've stayed IN San G. several times).
Volterra - good Etruscan museum and interesting Roman theatre on the outside of the town walls.
Montalcino and Montepulciano, because we like their wines. Don't like Chianti so much, because we don't like their wines as much.
Monteriggioni because it's just so cute and tiny.
One winery that I know of that serves meals is the biggest, Castello Banfi. Don't know if they serve outside or not.
Re dinner in San G. or anywhere other than Volterra, keep in mind that you would then be driving back on windy side roads in the dark. And if the driver wants to have wine with dinner, remember the strict drink-and-drive laws in Europe. So you may find your dinner more enjoyable if you eat it in Siena. But for lunch, or dinner if you want, in San Gimignano, our favorites are Il Dorando, a member of the Slow Food movement, and Il Terrazze Restaurant, in La Cisterna hotel. Great views overlooking the countryside.
Sep 26th, 2010, 05:20 PM
#23
Join Date: Apr 2005
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Jill,
Did you see my suggessted driving routes on this thread?
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...nic-route-.cfm
Some other suggestions-
Volterra/San Gimignano- head to Volterra first and visit San G in the late afternoon/evening (to avoid the crowds) on your way back to Siena.
Chianti- head to Castellina in Chianti on route S222. After visiting Catellina, head east on the 429 to Radda in Chianti. After Radda, continue on to visit the nearby beautiful village of Volpaia (perhaps the most beautiful village in the Chianti region). Just east of Volpaia is the lovely abbey, Badia a Coltibuono. They make their own excellent chesnut blossom honey, great olive oil and Chianti wines. They also have a very nice restaurant- http://www.coltibuono.com/pagebase.asp?s=80. If you have time you can also visit Gaiole in Chianti before returning to Siena.
Montalcino/Pienza/incredible countryside- head south out of Siena toward Buonconvento. Follow signs after Buonconvento to Montalcino. Visit the Montalcino and then the nearby abbey Sant' Antimo. From there, head back to Montalcino and then down the hill toward San Quirico d'Orcia and the Val d'Orcia. San Quirico is a small village and a quick visit. From there, head to Pienza. If you have time you can also visit nearby Monticchiello. After Pienza, follow my suggested route north (other thread) toward Montisi and the Crete Senesi for your return drive to Siena.
Pienza/Montepulciano/more incredible countryside- Take either the main road (through Buonconvento/San Quirico) or the more scenic road (through the Crete Senesi/Asciano) out of Siena toward Pienza. If you take the scenic road it will take longer and there are a few small villages worth visiting on the way. Visit Pienza (and buy some cheese), then move on to Montepulciano.
These are pretty aggressive intineraries, so depending on how fast you move, how early you start, and how long you take for lunch, you may or may not have the time for everything. But, don't worry- you will return.
And don't forget to enjoy the town of Siena.
Did you see my suggessted driving routes on this thread?
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...nic-route-.cfm
Some other suggestions-
Volterra/San Gimignano- head to Volterra first and visit San G in the late afternoon/evening (to avoid the crowds) on your way back to Siena.
Chianti- head to Castellina in Chianti on route S222. After visiting Catellina, head east on the 429 to Radda in Chianti. After Radda, continue on to visit the nearby beautiful village of Volpaia (perhaps the most beautiful village in the Chianti region). Just east of Volpaia is the lovely abbey, Badia a Coltibuono. They make their own excellent chesnut blossom honey, great olive oil and Chianti wines. They also have a very nice restaurant- http://www.coltibuono.com/pagebase.asp?s=80. If you have time you can also visit Gaiole in Chianti before returning to Siena.
Montalcino/Pienza/incredible countryside- head south out of Siena toward Buonconvento. Follow signs after Buonconvento to Montalcino. Visit the Montalcino and then the nearby abbey Sant' Antimo. From there, head back to Montalcino and then down the hill toward San Quirico d'Orcia and the Val d'Orcia. San Quirico is a small village and a quick visit. From there, head to Pienza. If you have time you can also visit nearby Monticchiello. After Pienza, follow my suggested route north (other thread) toward Montisi and the Crete Senesi for your return drive to Siena.
Pienza/Montepulciano/more incredible countryside- Take either the main road (through Buonconvento/San Quirico) or the more scenic road (through the Crete Senesi/Asciano) out of Siena toward Pienza. If you take the scenic road it will take longer and there are a few small villages worth visiting on the way. Visit Pienza (and buy some cheese), then move on to Montepulciano.
These are pretty aggressive intineraries, so depending on how fast you move, how early you start, and how long you take for lunch, you may or may not have the time for everything. But, don't worry- you will return.
And don't forget to enjoy the town of Siena.
Sep 27th, 2010, 08:44 AM
#24
Join Date: Jun 2006
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All I would add is the Abbadia of Monte Oliveto Maggiore, an easy drive from Siena, near Buonconvento. Fascinating series of frescoes depicting the life of Saint Bernard Tolomei line the walls of the cloister. You can also visit their library, small but inspiring art museum, pharmacy (complete with old pottery jars), church, cemetery, and view the refectory/dining hall (where the monks dine at long wooden tables). Services include Gregorian chant. In past years, we have been able to attend Sunday services; this year, they stationed a monk at the door to stop some people: "no tourista". But if you wish to attend and are appropriately dressed (and without guidebook in hand and camera around neck), you should be able to enter. Small shop sells honey, herbs, lotions and potions, books, rosaries, etc.; wine shop sells wine made by the monks. A truly memorable experience.
(And don't miss San Galgano or Sant'Antimo, which others suggested.)
(And don't miss San Galgano or Sant'Antimo, which others suggested.)
