My husband and I(early 30's) will be doing the following itenerary:
1. Rome train to Chiusi
Rent car and drive to Pienza for 2 nights(day trips)
2. Drive to San Gimignano(2nights)with day trips
3.Volterra 1 night/or Chianti area( I want to taking a cooking class at night so I thought we should stay overnight.

We are then driving to Florence and dropping off the car and spending 3 nights there.

Thanks a bunch!

Is this a good option or do you recommend something else.

Looks like fun, monica.

What will DH do while you are at the cooking class?

PS

Why not get the car in Rome and drive to Pienza?

Hubby will join me in the class....he actually was willing. Ira...we are a little nervous about driving in italy so I thought I would limit it by training it half way.

Is the cooking class in Volterra or Chianti?? I'm assuming that it's in Volterra, because otherwise you would do Volterra as a day trip from San Gimignano.

If anything, I would add a day to Pienza & subtract one from San G/Volterra. I think there is more to do around Pienza than around San G.

You might also consider taking the train to Orvieto to pick up the car & see this town also. It's only 1 hr to Pienza from Orvieto.

Stu Dudley

Thank you stu, The cooking class is offered in both locations....which is another one of my Dilemmas....which location. Its 2 sisters who run this operation. I will take your suggestion and do an extra night in Pienza. Here is another thought....Siena...should i do a night there instead of San G?

I actually wanted to pick up the car in Orvieto....I read on the posts that its difficult to get to the rental agency in Orvieto where as the one in Chiusi is right accross the train station....considering we have Luggage.

I do understand being so exhausted upon arrival that you don't want to think, but picking up the car at the airport is really the easiest way to go.

Given your timeframe, my suggestion would be to stay in just Pienza and San Gimignano--two nights in one town and three in the other depending on your interests. This would one day's packing and unpacking and all your time on vacation is so valuable.

Siena is another good option as a base. If you choose Siena, be sure that the hotel has a place to park your car.

Monica, which cooking class are you looking at? I was considering taking a class while we were in the Volterra area for our wedding...

If you don't mind moving around, staying in Sinea would be a great idea. Having dinner on the Campo & watching the sun set & illuminating the bell tower & other buildings is fantastic. Same for evenings in San G.

I assumed you will be in Rome for a visit before you travel to Tuscany - that's why you are taking the train there. I've picked up a car in Chiusi, but not Orvieto, so I can't answer the question about how close the car rental place is to the train station.

Stu Dudley

The cooking class is held at a place called Fagiolari(sp). It technically isn't in Volterra but near it. As far as Siena....i forgot about parking the car....hmm... that is something to consider.

StuDudley or monica: What car rental company do you use in Chiusi?

I know that Avis has a Chiusi office - is that the company you refer to as "Right by the rail station"?

Planning to be there myself (actually staying in nearby Montepulciano) in about 4 weeks.

In fact, I cannot decide between Rome rental (Downtown pickup) or train from Rome and occasional rentals during our week in Montepulciano.

Driving out of Rome midday on a Saturday(from Corso Vitt. Emmanuele area) could be fun or gruesome -- never done it before.....

>>What car rental company do you use in Chiusi?

I know that Avis has a Chiusi office - is that the company you refer to as "Right by the rail station"?

Planning to be there myself (actually staying in nearby Montepulciano) in about 4 weeks.

In fact, I cannot decide between Rome rental (Downtown pickup) or train from Rome and occasional rentals during our week in Montepulciano.<<

Avis had the only rental office when we were there in '02 - it's 70 ft from the train station.

What do you mean by "occasional rentals". Normally, a 3 day rental is the same cost as a week rental. You'll need a car to explore that area thoroughly.

Stu Dudley

Volterra is :30 from San Gim.--I assume you know that.

Hi Monica,

We dropped our car in Orvieto and the rental agency we used (Avis) was about 2 blocks from the train station.

We had no clue where it was, so I dropped my friend at the station with our bags. Got directions to the rental office from someone in the station and drove over. Walked back to the station. Pretty easy.

Note: Orvieto was the only station where the ticket seller did not speak English. We had to help the young couple in front of us get their tickets.

Buon viaggio!

I have yet another question.....which is better for the 2 nights stay Siena or San Gimigano. What i'm hoping for a place close(walking distance) to restaurants where we can relax at nights after a long day of driving around. A place to walk around at night and enjoy the scenery.

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>>which is better for the 2 nights stay Siena or San Gimigano. <<

Flip a coin. Both places suit your needs - fun at night, close to restaurants, etc. Perhaps San G might be more relaxing because it's smaller, but sitting & nursing a glass of wine on the Campo in Siena for 2 hrs in the evening is a good way to wind down.

Stu Dudley

I would second Stu's comments. Both towns are enjoyable, scenic, have nice restaurants and nice shops.

Another win-win situation...

Thank you to both of you.....Oh what a choice huh? I am so excited about going!