rosecity15

Hi Everyone,

My sister and I are headed to Italy in October to celebrate her birthday. For the middle of the trip, we are going to Tuscany (staying at a little villa about 30 minutes outside of San Gimignano) for 4 nights, so we have three full days to explore to our hearts content. We'll have a car (I have driven through Tuscany a few times before, so am pretty comfortable doing so). We have San Gimignano, Volterra, and Siena on the list of possibilities - would love to hear about any other places in that area-ish that folks would recommend. We are interested in art, architecture, leasurely strolls and beautiful views, and of course - good food (we've already booked a cooking class/lunch at a place just outside of San Gimignano for one of the afternoons). We'll take a train in from Rome to Orvieto - spend a few hours there and then pick up a car and drive to the villa. Last day at the villa, we'll drive up to Florence and drop off the car. Would love recommendations of towns, museums, churches, restaurants, and anything interesting that you think is fun to see or do while we're there.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions you may have!

Jean

"... villa about 30 minutes outside of San Gimignano..." Which direction from SG?

You could easily spend an entire day seeing Siena and the better part of a day in Volterra. And you've booked a cooking class/lunch one day. The time remaining for exploring will have to be well-planned and geographically limited. I would make the most of the drive to and from the SG area.

On the drive from Orvieto to the villa, I would take SR2 and not the autostrada. Possible stops at Bagni San Filippo, Bagno Vignoni, San Quirico, short detour to Abbazia di Monte Oliveto Maggiore (check open hours and arrive accordingly).

On the drive to Florence, I'd drive SR222... aka Via Chiantigiana. Possible stops at Castellina, detour to Radda, then Greve, maybe Impruneta.

just_tina

Jean gives good advice. The scenery around Abbazia Monteoliveto is spectacular:
https://slowtravelitalyspain.blogspo...ia-di.html?m=1

bilboburgler

Yep good advice from Jean, you might be able to fit in the Colle di Val d'Elsa. There is a car park at the top (the north west end I think) and you can walk down through the old town to the lift. If you want to see the modern town take the lift, if not walk back on the other side of the walled city. 20 minutes I guess. But read some of the history of the place and the women-only streets.

HappyTrvlr

Are you able to cancel your cooking class with so little free time to this beautiful area more?

rosecity15

Thanks all for your suggestions! We'll arrange to head out of Rome early morning so that we can spend the time taking the SR2 up and around to visit a small town on the way to the villa. I have a soft spot for Pienza and haven't been in about 10 years, so I think we'll make a stop there. And thanks for the suggestion of Colle di Val d'Elsa - I've not heard of it before, but sounds lovely! We'll miss the outdoor glass show, but my sister is very interested in the crystal museum, so we'll definitely check it out.

Appreciate you all!

TDudette

Orvieto's Duomo is not to be missed...it's truly gorgeous.

Did I miss Pisa???!

In Defense of Pisa

Please let everyone know about your wonderful visit!

rosecity15

Thanks - we absolutely are going to stop in Orvieto to visit the Duomo and have lunch before moving on... I haven't been since 2012, so looking forward to it!

Unfortunately, we're missing Pisa. I took my Mom to see it in 2014, but this trip will need to miss...