Ken

This may seem obvious, but we've never explored the hill towns. Do you park outside and hike in? We want to stay in or around Siena but my wife can't hike long distances and wants to save her energy for the town intself. Are some more accessable than others? If so, which ones? Thanks.

BOB THE NAVIGATOR

That is a tough one--tell me the day, the weather--it really varies.
They are all hard to walk--after all they are called hill towns. I find Montalcino to be easier access.

Marj

It varies. From our personal experience on 2 trips with some driving, we parked right outside the entrance of San gimignano in a public lot. It's a small town so the walking is minimal. We were able to find street parking inside Orvieto. We had also tried to make a lunch stop in Siena but didn't have a city map and were unsuccessful finding the city center by just following signs. We ended up eating on the outskirts (were easily able to park there), had lunch at a very nice restaurant and left (our time was very limited so we gave up trying to find the center). If youy are staying around Siena, get a good street map of the area. You'll need it.

Alice Twain

In Siena you can park than take a minibus to reach the center of Siena. There is a map of minibus lines at http://www.trainspa.it/mappe/mappaservizi.html, check out the "pollicini" map: pollicini are the minibus that reach the heart of the city. The ticket costs approximately 1 euro.

Howard

It really depends on the time of the year. We were in Tuscany in late October and had no problem parking anywhere, including Siena, where we could walk from our parking space to the center of the city.

Bebe

In Orvieto and Montalcino we were able ot find parking spaces in lots near the town center. So no walking up the hill into town. No guarantee that you will be that lucky to find close in parking. Siena actually had an escalator that took us from the parking lot to the town center.

newt

I spent three weeks touring Italy with
Mother (80 yrs ) and her walker. Saving her energy for the "good sights"
was of prime importance to me. Orvietto
was very easy for her. Park by the train station and take the tram up the hill, ride the bus directly to the historic area. Easier than it sounds.
Pienza is flat, very easy to see and charming. Deruta, Gubbio and Urbino are more difficult. In Assisi, drive as high as you can and park in the lot that has the escalator to the top.
Newt

xxx

newt,

How difficult is Gubbio? I'm thinking of a day trip there with my 75 year old godmother. Where is a good parking lot that will minimize the uphill walking? Or is it just too much for someone who doesn't do hills all that well?

newt

I went to Gubbio on another trip, without my Mother. I think it would have been pretty difficult for someone who can't walk up and down hills. What is it that you want to see in Gubbio?
Is there something similar you could see
elsewhere? Assisi was difficult for
Mom, but she had wanted to go there forever. So we went, did it slow, and we both loved every step along the way.

Ken

Thanks for all of the help. I think we have narrowed it down to staying in the Siena area. The mini-bus was a great tip. Thanks again everyone !

xxx

newt,

We've already been to Assisi, and also Orvieto. It has been my understanding that Gubbio is very picturesque, and sort of the quintessential hill town. Perhaps I'm mistaken, and there are other hill towns equally nice but less difficult? We are looking for a place to overnight on the way from the Riviera to the Amalfi Coast, and we were thinking of visiting Gubbio and then overnighting in Orvieto, or possibly just overnighting in Gubbio. I will be appreciative of any recommendations.

Sandy

Hi, I'll have the same situation traveling with my mom in March. My plan is to drop my mom off in the city, then find parking and walk to her. I'm hoping finding a little cafe to meet her will be easy. Sandy