Saraho

I'm planning a trip to Italy this fall, flying in and out of Rome due to frequent flyer ticket availability. After a couple of days visiting a friend in Rome, we are spending a night at our favorite convent in Orvieto and then renting a car to drive to the Pitigliano area for a couple of days, then drive through Tuscany, ending up in Venice. Places we may want to see include San Gimiangno, and other places in Tuscany and Verona, Vicenza and maybe
Lake Garda. Any suggestions for other places to see and for a good itinerary plan.

TuckH

Why not include a couple of days/nights in the Dolomites?

bobthenavigator

With 16 days, I would do this:
Arrive FCO--get car--to Orvieto--3 nites
Drive to near Siena---3 nites---see centro Tuscany
Drive to Lago Garda--stay at north end--day trips into Dolomites and to Verona--4 nites
Drive to Venice--drop car---3 nites
Train to Rome---see friend--last 3 nites
That is the max coverage with the least hassle. Good luck !

Saraho

Thanks, Bob. So you are suggesting that we daytrip to the Pitigliano area from Orvieto rather than staying there a night or two?

What do you (or anyone else) recommend that we see in the Maremma area? Any suggestions for an agritursimo in that area or a hotel in Pitigliano?

luvtotravel

You could keep with your original plan if you want to delay renting the car. Train to Orvieto and stay there several nights. Rent a car on the second day; it's a short drive to Pitigliano. Would save changing hotels.

Southern Tuscany has some lovely towns if you can spare a night to stay in Pienza or other town along your route.

Saraho

I think I will plan to go directly to Orvieto from the airport and spend at least one night there to recover from jetlag. I have found an agriturismo near Pitigliano that gets good reviews on Slowtrav.com- Quercia Rossa.

We have been to Pienza and central Tuscany a number of times, so we may just enjoy the drive and then spend a night at our favorite San Gimignano.

Then would it be reasonable to drive to Lake Garda the next day? Any suggestions for where to stay there? Or in the Dolomites?

bobthenavigator

Look at the towns of Riva del Garda and Malcesine for hotels. The Europa in RDG is an option.

Saraho

What about Sirmione on Lake Garda? How does it compare with Riva del Garda?

Now I'm considering spending a night near Pienza,too, so we can visit La Foce gardens. Has anyone here visited them. I saw lovely photographs of them.

TuckH

> What about Sirmione on Lake Garda? How does it compare with Riva del Garda? <

Big difference. The area around Sirmione is flat, the lake is large and the town is a tourist destination, mainly for the beaches. Riva and the lake is surrounded by mountains - very attractive.

bobthenavigator

Hmmm ! I say "northend" then I give you 2 towns and still you ask "what about Sirmione". That is the last choice on Garda unless you love T-shirt shops and German tourists.

zoecat

Hi Saraho,

I have visited the gardens at La Foce twice. Definately a nice tour and very beautiful. Reading Iris' books will add to the experience. The gardens are only open on Wed, I believe between 3:00 and 7:00.

When you visit Pitigliano you must also visit the nearby town of Sorano. It's smaller than Pitigliano but spectacular. It is one of my favorite places to photograph, the people are lovely and there is a fantastic wine bar (w/snack food and local beer) built into the ground that is a work of art itself. The owner is a young artist from Orbetello who comes to Sorano on the weekends to run the wine bar. It is only open on the weekends, lunch and dinner. I cannot remember the name of the place but any local can point you to it. I think it is the only wine bar in town.

Have you visited the Abbazia San Galgano located SW of Siena? It would be a nice day trip from your base in Tuscany or on your drive north from Pienza. It is not as popular as many other sights in Tuscany but it is worth a visit. Very special.

Enjoy your travels!

Zoe

Wayne

On the north end of Lago di Garda I prefer not to stay in Riva, but rather a short distance away in a nice little village on the lake called Torbole. There are several reasonably priced hotels and a few good restaurants, and the prices are usually a good bit lower than in RDG. Good luck.

Saraho

Thanks for your helpful suggestions.

Thanks, Bob, Tuck,and Wayne. Even though several people I know have stayed in Sirmione and actually liked it, I can see that the Northern part of the lake is much more what we are looking for. We loved Lake Como, especially Varenna because it was not too touristy.

Zoe, I haven't seen San Galgano- thanks for reminding me about it. I've always liked the photos of it. We will definitely plan to visit Sorano. That part of Tuscany is new to me. I hope we can arrange a visit to La Foce.Being open only on Wednesday afternoon make make it difficult for us. I believe Julia mentioned that one could stay there, so I'll have to look for a website for information.