Itinerary - Tuscany portion
 

Here is our itinerary while my DH and I are in Tuscany. Please help.

9/23
Picking up car in Orvieto (Umbria) around 3pm or whenever they re-open.
- Driving to villa in Radicafani
9/24
- Daytrip to ?
Some suggestions have been Pitigliano and Sovana
- back to villa in Radicafani
9/25
- Drive in the AM to:
Montepulciano, Pienza, San Quirico, Montalcino. Would like to do some wine tasting although worried about drinking and driving. We were planning on playing it by ear on accommidations. Although DH is worried about not being able to find something available.
9/26
- Drive to Siena in early AM
- Possibly arrange a wine tour through Chianti. I know we'll still be paying for the retal car that day, maybe we can get a discount if they use our car. I guess it would probably be a problem though if they crash it.
- Back in Siena for dinner (we were told that Siena is beautiful at night and the bus loads of tourist leave so it is not as crazy??)
- We're also planning to play accommodations by ear this night -- stay in Siena?
9/27
- Drive to San Gimignano sightseeing
- stay in Volterra
9/28
- Drive to Florence airport in late AM to drop off car.

Any suggestions? Is this too much travel?

I may be thick here, but I don't understand something: have you rented a villa for just a night or two? Why?

nitsirk,

First, I would NOT play it by ear in Tuscany in Sept. You will waste too much time looking for a place to stay.

Second, trying to visit 4 hilltowns in one day won't allow for more than a drive by. Pick 2 per day, it's a good rule of thumb.

Buon viaggio

Sorry my post is not very clear... we have made reservations near Radicofani at the following place on September 23th & 24th:

http://www.fattorialapalazzina.net/

And this place by Voltera on Sept. 27th:

http://www.villanencini.it/

For the 25th and 26th we have booked nothing.

Thanks Dayle

I am not sure how you picked those locations. I agree you need 2 locations and you will need reservations for all 4 nites. I would spend 2 nites near Pienza abd 2 nites near San Gimignano---Radicofani is too far south and Volterra too far west, although I do like both towns. This may help if you do not know where to book.

Oops--here it is !

BOB’S FAVORITE DIGS IN TUSCANY

Siena province is easily my favorite part of Tuscany. Here is a list of accommodations that I suggest. All prices assume a typical double room.

A. RURAL LOCATIONS: All have parking and good food options nearby

1. Relais La Saracina www.lasaracina.it 230 to 300E
Fabulous country home near Montepulciano—helpful owners

2. Le Traverse www.letraverse.it 155E
Small B&B just south of Pienza—hard to beat at the price—has pool

3. Lucignanello Bandini www.piccolomini.it 150[2] to 244E[4]
These are apartments in a lovely but remote rural setting.

4. Hotel Pescille www.pescille.it Good value at a rustic hotel only 3 km from famed San Gimignano with great views---100 to 130E

5. Fattoria Tregole www.fattoria-tregole.com 110E to 180E
Has both B&B and apartment accommodations. Near Castellina in Chianti


B. IN-TOWN LOCATIONS: For walking convenience to shops etc.

1. Palazzo del Capitano www.palazzodelcapitano.com 130 to 180E
Very nice small hotel in center of San Quirico—perfect location to explore.

2. Vecchia Oliviera www.tuscany.net/oliviera/ 130 to 180E
Nice 4 star hotel at the gate into lovely Montalcino---has pool.

3. Palazzina Cesari www.montalcinoitaly.com 80 to 110E
Lovely small B&B in heart of Montalcino—great value—2 nite stay minimum.

4. Locanda di San Francesco www.locandasanfrancesco.it 180 to 200E
New boutique B&B in a lovely location in Montepulciano—great reviews !

5. Palazzo Ravizza www.palazzoravizza.it 130 to 180E
Very nice & popular hotel in Siena with parking.

And as for visiting towns...nearly everything closes between 12-3 everyday so we had planned on 2 towns a day but never got to more than 1

Bob, We picked these places based off of a friend's recommendation. I guess we were looking for a few places off the beaten path if there is such a thing in Tuscany. Thanks for your recommendations. We'll look into them and re-think Radicafani to start.

jamikins, good to know. thank you.

If you're looking for a great place in Montepulciano, check out Villa Cicolina.

http://www.villacicolina.it/eng/villacicolina.htm

It's about a five minute drive from town. We stayed there a week exploring all the towns in the area. It's a beautiful villa, and everyone there was so great. We also had a wonderful meal there.

Thanks for the suggestions Bob!

Bob, great info! Thanks!