Hello there:

I’ll be spending four days in Tuscany at the end of the month, flying in and out of Pisa. I have been to Florence and Siena a few times, so I am concentrating on the countryside and smaller towns. Your comments are welcome on the following itinerary.

Friday:
- Arrive Pisa 7pm
- Drive to hotel in Lucca

Saturday
- Explore Lucca in the morning
- Drive to San Gimignano in the afternoon
- Lunch and explore
- Drive to Pienza (Hotel Il Chiostro di Pienza)

Sunday
- Stu Dudley’s wonderful the Val d’Orcia drive, including Pienza, San Quirico d’Orcia, Montalcino, Sant’ Antimo Abbey

Monday
- Montepulciano, Cortona – where-else?

Tuesday
- Explore Il Chianti
- Visit Volterra
- 1030 pm flight from Pisa


Regards … Ger

Montalcino is wonderful -

Thanks cmeyer, I'll be including Montalcino on Stu's Sunday drive

>Your comments are welcome on the following itinerary.<

Ger, it seems to me that your focus is heavily on the 'drive'. I suggest that you instead spend more of your time on foot, hanging out in these lovely towns and villages. Of course that would mean that you'll get to visit fewer of them...

I like it conidering your Pisa arrival time. The option to me would be to skip Lucca and stay that first nite in or near Volterra. Do not feel that Cortona is mandatory--it is a good drive and you have lots to see in Val d, Orcia. Include Bagno Vignoni on your Montalcino day.

Thanks Tuck.
Yes, I am wicked with the driving. However, Stu's driving itinerary is fairly short on time in the car. These towns are very close. I am rethinking the drive to Cortona though - its a long way from my base. Good suggestion.

Bob:
Great suggestion - very clever adjustment. I have sent e-mails to a couple of hotels in Volterra. Its only 90 minutes from Pisa airport, which is the max I would consider for an evening drive. I am now considering the following:

Friday:
- Arrive Pisa 7pm
- Drive to hotel in Volterra

Saturday
- Explore Volterra and area
- Drive to San Gimignano in the afternoon
- Lunch and explore
- Drive to Pienza (Hotel Il Chiostro di Pienza)

Sunday
- Stu Dudley’s wonderful the Val d’Orcia drive, including Pienza, San Quirico d’Orcia, Montalcino, Sant’ Antimo Abbey

Monday
- Montepulciano and area
- Cortona, only if I run out of other options

Tuesday
- Explore Il Chianti
- Visit Lucca in the late afternoon
- 1030 pm flight from Pisa

Question: When does it get dark in late April?

Regards and thanks … Ger