Tuscany
Nov 25th, 2006, 10:02 AM
#1
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Tuscany
Hello,
I am going to be in Italy for a few weeks this spring/summer. I will be staying in Venice for a while and then renting a car and driving to the Tuscany region. I will be stopping in Bologna along the way and then continuing south. Can anyone give me a couple of reccomendations on a few towns that might be nice to stay for a few days?
Thanks
I am going to be in Italy for a few weeks this spring/summer. I will be staying in Venice for a while and then renting a car and driving to the Tuscany region. I will be stopping in Bologna along the way and then continuing south. Can anyone give me a couple of reccomendations on a few towns that might be nice to stay for a few days?
Thanks
Nov 25th, 2006, 10:13 AM
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I expect Bob the Navigator to step in here soon. But, really, there are lots of nice small towns in which to stay. Like Lucca, Siena, Pienza, Montalcino, Sam Gimignano, Montepulciano. All of these are well-located for day-trip excursions. Maybe you need to tell us your interests?
Nov 25th, 2006, 10:25 AM
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Hi,
Thanks for replying. I am working out the details of my trip today. It's a good day for it. I think I am interested in most everything Tuscany would have to offer, but to be honest with you I'm not sure of what all that entails. I love wine (not problamatically) but I would like to visit a local winery if that is possible? I am open to any suggestions as far as what to do!
Thanks for replying. I am working out the details of my trip today. It's a good day for it. I think I am interested in most everything Tuscany would have to offer, but to be honest with you I'm not sure of what all that entails. I love wine (not problamatically) but I would like to visit a local winery if that is possible? I am open to any suggestions as far as what to do!
Nov 25th, 2006, 05:33 PM
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What Tuscany has to offer is beautiful vistas, winding roads that take you to small towns and villages - like Monteriggioni that's not in most guide books. We found it on the way to Siena from Florence on S2. It was a charming walled village. When we got home, we find out that Dante described the well in the center of the piazza as the entrance to hell in his "Divine Comedy". Maybe not the prettiest thought but something you're not apt to find in every town. Or you visit Fattoria dei Barbi, a vineyard outside Montalcino where we did a tour and tasting, visited the museum about the area and brunello, and may have had the best meal of our trip in the restaurant on the property. And San Gimignano is delightful - even with all the tourists! Amazing views! And given all the above if I was looking for a place to stay for a couple nights as I head south, I would certainly consider Orvieto in Umbria. It was such an unique setting!
With a few weeks to explore, you'll have the luxury of finding your own special spots that will hold lifetime memories for you. Enjoy!
With a few weeks to explore, you'll have the luxury of finding your own special spots that will hold lifetime memories for you. Enjoy!
Nov 25th, 2006, 07:02 PM
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Zeta
Did you type Tuscany into the search box here? There are scads of recommendations for towns, vistas, wineries, restaurants and more.
Once you start reading them, you get a feel for the reasons the posters liked this or that place. I find it helpful in making my choices and decisions.
Did you type Tuscany into the search box here? There are scads of recommendations for towns, vistas, wineries, restaurants and more.
Once you start reading them, you get a feel for the reasons the posters liked this or that place. I find it helpful in making my choices and decisions.
Nov 26th, 2006, 03:34 AM
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I recently returned from a wonderful one weeks stay in Tuscany. You are invited to read my trip report (link below) and get some ideas. If you want anything specific answered afterwards, let me know.
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...2&tid=34884020
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...2&tid=34884020
Nov 26th, 2006, 04:01 AM
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zeta,
A little more info will help us get you started. Are you spending "a few weeks" in Tuscany or is it just part of a larger itinerary? Have you booked a departure city? Traveling solo? Before you rent the car, have you considered heading up to the Lakes region from Venice?
If you drive out of Venice, the logical next point after Bologna would be Florence. Then you could either head south into Tuscany or make a swing west to Lucca and the Cinque Terre.
In Tuscany, a logical progression would be to first settle in the upper region around San Gimignano and/or the Chianti region (wine tours). Siena is rather central. Then south to the Val d'Orcia ---Montalcino, Pienza, Montepulciano---and more wine tours.
If you still have time, you could head east to Umbria near Assisi. Orvieto is a good place to turn in your car and train to Rome.
A little more info will help us get you started. Are you spending "a few weeks" in Tuscany or is it just part of a larger itinerary? Have you booked a departure city? Traveling solo? Before you rent the car, have you considered heading up to the Lakes region from Venice?
If you drive out of Venice, the logical next point after Bologna would be Florence. Then you could either head south into Tuscany or make a swing west to Lucca and the Cinque Terre.
In Tuscany, a logical progression would be to first settle in the upper region around San Gimignano and/or the Chianti region (wine tours). Siena is rather central. Then south to the Val d'Orcia ---Montalcino, Pienza, Montepulciano---and more wine tours.
If you still have time, you could head east to Umbria near Assisi. Orvieto is a good place to turn in your car and train to Rome.
Nov 26th, 2006, 06:13 AM
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We stayed at Fattoria Tregole just outside Castellina in Chianti and loved it! It's a charming B&B and reasonably priced and centrally located to the Chianti Highway as well as Siena, a day trip to Florence and San Gimignano. Plus they have a wonderful pool area to relax at after a a morning of sightseeing...
Dec 3rd, 2006, 11:56 AM
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Siena and San Gimignano are a must. I'd lke to show you how beautiful they are, here are a couple of videos I made myself:
http://tuscany-panorama.com/cms/inde...d=14&Itemid=30
http://tuscany-panorama.com/cms/inde...d=18&Itemid=30
http://tuscany-panorama.com/cms/inde...d=14&Itemid=30
http://tuscany-panorama.com/cms/inde...d=18&Itemid=30
