travel from florence through the tuscan countryside
 

we will have two full days to travel around tuscany. we can rent a car and go it alone, perhaps one day around sienna and chianti and another traveling toward pisa. any thoughts or experience with winery tours through this area? we would consider a motorcoach tour if it gave us time and freedom to explore.<BR><BR>looking forward to your comments.<BR><BR>jim and camille

I would suggest you narrow it down to only 2 of the sites out of the 3 you listed. My cut would be Pisa. Siena has a lot to see & do. I think much better then Pisa. There a many towns to see in Chianti, or just enjoy the countryside. A car is a must for Chianti. I find it more enjoayable to rent a car because I like to stop & explore things when I see something not<BR>in the guidebooks. It gives much greater flexibility which is a plus for the countryside & small towns.

I would suggest renting a car for a couple of days. Then take 222 south out of Florence for a great drive through the Tuscan countryside to Siena. We did this "by mistake" a couple of years ago and loved it. On your return to Florence you could swing by San Giminano for 2-3 hours. Jinx Hoover

Winery tour suggestions:<BR><BR>Badia a Coltibuono:<BR>[email protected]<BR><BR>Castell o di Verazzano:<BR>www.verrazzano.com<BR><BR>Castello Banfi<BR>www.castellobanfi.com<BR><BR>These all have options of tours and some kind of lunch/wine tasting. <BR><BR>

Hi Jim & Camille,<BR><BR>We had lunch at Badia a Coltibuono & it was excellent! Lunch is served on a terrace with great views. I would highly recommend it. Reservations definitely required.<BR><BR>We did a little tasting at Castello di Brolio. Their Chianti Reserva was truly great. They also have a restaurant, which we did not try, again reservations required. You can walk around the castello grounds & chapel, but the castello itself is not open to the public. Antonori family (if I remember correctly) still in residence.<BR><BR>Also recommend a stop at the Rampini Ceramics factory. They have the best quality ceramics I saw on my last trip & do give a good discount for purchases made there. They also have a showroom in Florence. The factory is on a tiny road just south of Radda - but ask someone. I'm not sure if I'm remembering which town correctly.<BR><BR>I wish I were there right now!