jrchapma

I'm working on an itinerary for my husband and I, traveling to Italy November 10, returning the 22nd, flying in and out of Florence. We are in our early 30's and this is our second trip to Italy (did Rome the first time). I have been to Florence and Venice before, so this will be my second trip to Florence. Therefore, we're opting for Tuscany rather than Venice (I don't mind revisiting one place, but two?). I'd say that right now we're in the "we want to see everything" stage of travel, not really looking for a slow trip this time around. This is the itinerary I've worked up so far. I welcome your comments.

Friday (November 11)
Arrive Florence (2 PM at Aeroporto A. Vespucci right outside Florence), get car, and drive to San Gimignano

Saturday
Visit Sam Gimignano and surrounding area - Volterra, Monteriggioni

(Still looking for hotel - concerned about parking. I want to stay in San Gimignano because I've heard it's great to see it after the tourists have left.)

Sunday
Check out of hotel and drive to Siena for the day. Drive to Montepulciano that afternoon and stay at Appartamenti Al Poggiolo.

Monday - Thursday
Tour around Montepulciano. Take two day trips - Orvieto and Assisi. Maybe a wine tour? Tour of an olive oil processor?

Friday
Take our time driving back to Florence. See anything around Montepulciano we missed.

Saturday - Monday
Florence

elaine

Hi
Just wanted to point out that on Monday, some museums in Florence will be closed, so I'd plan non-museum activities.

jrchapma

elaine - yes, I had taken that into consideration and was planning to see several churches that day. Thanks!

e17345

irchapma:

I came across your posting, and was amazed how detailed you were able to get with your travel plans....

I am too planning a trip to Italy (my first one). So I was wondering how you were able to narrow down your plans - are you using travel books; i.e. how do you know what to see?

Thank you for your time.

TobieT

Sounds wonderful!
If this is your second visit to Florence, I would really take my time on Friday and drive the Chianti route SR222. It is an amazing drive for scenery, lovely hillside towns and wineries.
We especially liked Greve, less than an hour from Florence, but around every corner is another picturesque scene.
You'll have a memorable time!

jrchapma

e17345 - this was a last-minute trip (had some frequent flyer miles) and I just booked our tickets a couple days ago. I've spent many, many hours A DAY reading this site as well as information on slowtrav.com. I went to the bookstore and read several books on Florence/Tuscany and was shocked at the lack of information. Then I happened to come across a copy of the Rough Guide Tuscany/Umbria at my library. This book had a ton of info. (And I must say, I also read a copy of Rick Steves' Florence/Tuscany book. I don't usually like his books, but this had some good info.) With all of this information, it just came down to what I thought my husband and I would enjoy, and knowing what we're not really into (wine or extravagant meals). Planning a Tuscany trip has been VERY challenging - too many options, too many things to do.

Anyway, good luck with your travel planning. Which part of Italy do you plan to visit?

TobieT - thank you for the encouraging words.

CheBird

Hi jrchapma - we loved, loved, loved San Gimignano. Definitely one of the highlights of our last trip. We stayed for 4 nights at L'Antico Pozzo. Parking wasn't really a pain. You can drive into the village walls to drop things off at your hotel, but you have to drive right back out and park. There's no parking inside the walls, but plenty of parking right outside. Not a problem at all.

We were there in late October, so it wasn't crazy crowded. Take a tour of the torture museum - very unique!

jrchapma

CheBird - where did you park and how much did it cost? Was there a shuttle that took you into town? Could you park and take your luggage on the shuttle (if it exists - we pack light)? Also, was there a nightly walking tour of the town?

CheBird

Hi, jrchapma - the parking lot we found in San G was right outside one of the gates to the town. There were other parking lots and other gates, but I emailed the hotel in advance to find out which they were closest to. The lots weren't crowded. We used the car once while were there and got the same spot when we returned later that day.

Sorry, I don't recall the cost to park. Which makes me think it must have been reasonable enough, otherwise it would stick out in my mind. But keep in mind, in Chicago, we pay $30 to park for a few hours, so reasonable is relative! I recommend emailing your hotel in advance and asking them which lot they recommend.

Have fun!

CheBird

So sorry, I forgot to answer your other questions!

For our parking lot, we didn't need a shuttle. It was right outside the gate and easily accessible. You can walk in and out of the lot with no problem. Depending on how many bags you're willing to schlep around, you probably won't have a problem carrying them with you to your hotel from the car, but my husband dropped me off w/ the bags first. It was funny driving up and down those narrow streets, though - especially since street names aren't really obvious.

We didn't take a guided night walking tour, but we roamed around a lot at night. We were there on Halloween night, which was very cool. It was misty, dark, and kind of spooky within those centuries-old walls. Not a lot going on at night, by the way.

By the way, when we were there, it was pretty rainy (end of Oct/early Nov). Not a downpour, but I had to tote my little umbrella with me everytime we left the hotel. No big deal - we weren't there to get a tan, anyway.

dorkforcemom

We also stayed at L'Antico Pozzo and loved it (3 nights). Same experience for us - we pulled up (and I mean up!) hill to the street (pedestrian) to unload and hubby took the car to a lot for parking. We loved San Gimignano - a couple of comments. At night, it's really dark (not much in the way of street lights). We (2 couples) had rooms at the front of the hotel overlooking the main street. Very early in the morning (still dark), the sound of the garbage truck and street sweeper bothered the other couple tremendously. I slept through it - just something to keep in mind. We pack light and one helpful service of this hotel is that they sent our clothes to the dry cleaner one evening and brought back the next day. Happy travels!