Lucca or San Gimignano - 1 night which to choose
 

Hello

Still fine tuning this plan....

Enroute from Montalcino before arriving in the Italian Riviera we have 1 night we can head to Lucca and spend the night and 1/2 of the following day or San Gimignano.

We will still visit both.

I am leaning towards San Gimi as I feel I may love it early in the morning before the crowds arrive and late in the day/night when they are gone. I have also heard many wondeful things said about Lucca.


Probably isn't a wrong decision here but wanted to input.

Thank you,
Robyn

I've stayed in both, and I think you're on the right track with your thinking. SG is wonderful in the early morning and at night. Lucca doesn't offer than same kind of "magic" in my book -- although it's a worthwhile town to visit.

hi, robyn,

From montalcino you'll get to San gim first - so I'd stay there, not least because it's quite different after the tourists go home at about 4pm.

then onto Lucca in the morning.

regards, ann

Thank you for your feedback, also using mappy.com to get the best routes.

From your suggestion we will spend a little more than 1/2 a day in San Gimi sleep over, wake early as I always do, and enjoy San Gimi before the rush by late morning/ early afternoon head to Lucca. With this plan we'll only have an afternoon in Lucca before heading to the Italian Riviera. Perhaps Lucca can be a day trip earlier on from home base Montalcino or Lucca could be day trip later on from home base Lerici.

I have only been to Lucca once, but to San Gimignano three times. I really love San G, but we always stay overnight, so we get to enjoy the quiet mornings and evenings. Lucca didn't enchant me, but I know plenty of people who love it (which may be why it's so crowded, even in the off-season!)

When staying in San G where do you stay?

I have been looking at Palazzo Del Torrione.

Thank you,
Robyn

We did Lucca as a day trip from Lerici, we were there four nights, spent a full day in the Cinque Terre, one in Lucca and one in Portavenere, loved the area! We had stayed in San G on a previous trip, but also loved this place too, both are wonderful places. enjoy!

quinnr, I am staying at Palazzo Del Torrione early October for one night to do the same, check out Sam G evening and morning(after Montalcino). Not sure when you are going but I can give details when I return. Great reviews and pics from this B & B.

ljc4creb

I would really appreciate that when you return. We are going Sept/Oct. 2008, early planners.

Where you staying in Montalcino?
Last year we stayed at Palazzina Cesira which was wondeful and next year we are hoping to stay at Vecchia Oliviera.

Best Regards,
Robyn

Robyn, can you give us a feedback of Palazzina Cesira? We are considering booking there for June next year.

Thank you

Palazzina Cesira is a true B&B---you are walking into their home which you can tell they love.

We had a fabulous time at Palazzina Cesira, Roberto and Lucilla's home is warm and charming. They are also very helpful. Roberto will draw you a map and give you great recommendations on where to eat. I can still taste the omelet's and homemade jam from Lucilla's garden. And they served COFFEE.

In Montalcino, being that is has a small town feeling, I got the vibe that everyone knows everyone ----maybe that is why I fell in love......Roberto always pointed us to great restaurants---Grappolo Blu and Re Di Macchia.

The first night we stayed in a room facing the main street, you heard some noise early in the morning but nothing that bothered us. We went out for the day and had asked if the large suite was available, when we returned they had moved all of our stuff into the larger room. If I had known this I would have kept my stuff more organized. I appreciated them doing this for us. The large suite faces the back garden.

We did not know this but PC does not have view or an outdoor patio. Also, I found the beds to be HARD--my husband did not mind this but I found compared to other places in Italy these beds were uncomfortable.

The pro's out weighed the con's by far and I would return in the future. Our stay at PC is one of the reason's Montalcino is our favorite place in Italy.

We are returning next year and most likely staying at one of the B&B's with a view and outdoor patio because my father will be joining us and WANTS that view to enjoy a glass of wine and cheese. It was a tough decision but I do not think you can go wrong.

For longer stays I'd go with Lucca.
Go with San Gim for this trip.