travel from florence through the tuscan countryside
May 29th, 2002, 02:31 AM
#1
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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.
looking forward to your comments.
jim and camille
looking forward to your comments.
jim and camille
May 29th, 2002, 04:36 AM
#2
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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
in the guidebooks. It gives much greater flexibility which is a plus for the countryside & small towns.
in the guidebooks. It gives much greater flexibility which is a plus for the countryside & small towns.
May 29th, 2002, 05:26 AM
#3
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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
May 29th, 2002, 05:34 AM
#4
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Winery tour suggestions:
Badia a Coltibuono:
[email protected]
Castello di Verazzano:
www.verrazzano.com
Castello Banfi
www.castellobanfi.com
These all have options of tours and some kind of lunch/wine tasting.
Badia a Coltibuono:
[email protected]
Castello di Verazzano:
www.verrazzano.com
Castello Banfi
www.castellobanfi.com
These all have options of tours and some kind of lunch/wine tasting.
May 29th, 2002, 05:46 AM
#5
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Hi Jim & Camille,
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.
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.
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.
I wish I were there right now!
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.
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.
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.
I wish I were there right now!
