margreee

We have three or four days to just wander around Tuscany and Umbria, hopefully with a rental car. Any suggestions for "must see" destinations?

alan64

While not MUST SEE, both Perugia & Assisi are Umbria towns worth visiting if you have the time.

Dayle

Oh Margreee,

With all the suggestions you are going to get, you will need 3 - 4 weeks!

My own highlights from 2 trips -

Siena & Chianti
San Gimignano & Volterra
Orvieto & Civita di Bagnoreggio
Montalcino & Abbey of Sant 'Antimo
Pienza & Montepulciano & Monte Oliveto
Assisi & Spello & Todi

Buon viaggio!

moakb

I enjoyed visiting San Gimignano in Tuscany and Assisi in Umbria. Both are charming towns with kind people.

jkheigle

San Gimignano was terrific after the tour busses leave. Best to spend at least one night inside, even on the square. I can't remember where we stayed right on the square, but I was delighted. I have returned to San Gimignano over 4 times in 3 years, for exquisite evenings, one of which included a surprise (to me) string quartet concert in the major church... Now, one last note: This was in 1999, 2001, and 2002! I am sure the main entry is still Tourist Lane, and still easy to just walk straight on thru. Again, best time is late afternoon, evening, and early morning!

jkheigle

Also, Pienza and Montepulciano (just cause it is so fun to say), are great to walk around for a morning or afternoon. My brother and his wife loved Tuscany so much, they want to cut short our Croatia visit for some time to "find Umbria" and perhaps revisit their Tuscan favorites.

swagman

margreee

With a car, you can easily visit the following sites:-

Drive along the SS222 Strada Chiantiana and visit Greve, Radda and have lunch at La Bottega at Volpaia, a few kms up the road from Radda;

Spend at least a day in Siena;

San Gimignano, Volterra & Monteriggiore;

Montalcino, Abbey of Sant 'Antimo, Pienza & Montepulciano

You may not be able to visit all of the above in 3 to 4 days. Be selective.

S

Biz

Be aware that even though these places may not look very far apart on a map, some of these towns, such as Volterra, can be quite a few miles away from main roads. You can certainly see a good sampling of the towns that are mentioned but you do not want to pack too much driving into one day -- particularly as it can inhibit your enjoyment of the fantastic local vino! We recently returned from Tuscany and Umbria and we had a great time visiting Spello, Assisi, Montepulciano, Pienza and Volterra. You can read my full trip report at: http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34787738. Enjoy!

brando

I would recommend a night in assisi. This quant little town(old section) is crazy busy during the day with tour buses and day trippers but late afternoon and evening it is a different place. It's quiet slow paced and buetiful. Exceptional sunsets as well overlooking the country side.

chaz2316

Last summer we did the trip (more or less) that swagman describes. The recommendations are right on target. Our favorites included Volpia, and Radda.

Don't get to hung up on hitting them all. If you want to dawdle anywhere do it and leave the rest for another time -- it's worth it.

Henry

margreee,
Send me an e-mail and I will send you some destination ideas.