Tuscany leg of trip--floundering a bit
Jul 13th, 2016, 05:47 AM
#22
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 695
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You might consider Relais Vignale on the edge of Radda. Great views and restaurant. On our most recent trip we rented a villa outside of Panzano, but, there seemed to be a couple of hotels there. It is a wonderful location as well.
Jul 13th, 2016, 06:17 AM
#23
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,728
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm happy to share my experience!
In 2014 we picked up a car in Florence and drove to Montepulciano, stopping for lunch in Volpaiia. The drive was so much fun, yes we got lost but that was part of the adventure. The lunch at the enoteca at the top of the town was a highlight of our trip.
But on to Montepulciano - we stayed four nights at Politian Apartments. They were almost fully booked and put us in their "annex" which we loved - grandma's bed linens and appliances, but clean and charming, with a view oh what a view.
We like to stay put our first entire day in any town, and there was more than enough to explore in Montepulciano, including tasting rooms. We cooked in our apartment, and wandered a little bit the next two days (went to a cheese making farm too, another highlight, Podere Il Casale, amazing).
Why not keep the car and drive to Rome and drop it at Termini? Saves train fare and scheduling...we found (this year) that it's 50% cheaper to drop the car at Rome than Orvieto.
Have fun planning!
In 2014 we picked up a car in Florence and drove to Montepulciano, stopping for lunch in Volpaiia. The drive was so much fun, yes we got lost but that was part of the adventure. The lunch at the enoteca at the top of the town was a highlight of our trip.
But on to Montepulciano - we stayed four nights at Politian Apartments. They were almost fully booked and put us in their "annex" which we loved - grandma's bed linens and appliances, but clean and charming, with a view oh what a view.
We like to stay put our first entire day in any town, and there was more than enough to explore in Montepulciano, including tasting rooms. We cooked in our apartment, and wandered a little bit the next two days (went to a cheese making farm too, another highlight, Podere Il Casale, amazing).
Why not keep the car and drive to Rome and drop it at Termini? Saves train fare and scheduling...we found (this year) that it's 50% cheaper to drop the car at Rome than Orvieto.
Have fun planning!
Jul 14th, 2016, 06:13 AM
#24
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,893
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
<i><font color=#555555>"Why not keep the car and drive to Rome and drop it at Termini? Saves train fare and scheduling...we found (this year) that it's 50% cheaper to drop the car at Rome than Orvieto."</font></i>
Most people on this board are frightened of driving anywhere near Rome. Frankly, if you're coming from the countryside, it's very easy to avoid the city center on the A90 as you head into FCO. The car rental lots are well marked at FCO.
If saving money is your game, it's a little known secret (you have to find your way through the proper search method) that you can reduce your rental cost significantly, perhaps by 200€ or more, if you pick-up your rental, including automatics, at certain locations on the outskirts of Rome and return it to FCO. Depending on logistics and itinerary, some travelers can do this by using a simple, inexpensive cab drive to that rental location. Obviously, if you are a large group with tons of luggage, this may not be the best idea.
Most people on this board are frightened of driving anywhere near Rome. Frankly, if you're coming from the countryside, it's very easy to avoid the city center on the A90 as you head into FCO. The car rental lots are well marked at FCO.
If saving money is your game, it's a little known secret (you have to find your way through the proper search method) that you can reduce your rental cost significantly, perhaps by 200€ or more, if you pick-up your rental, including automatics, at certain locations on the outskirts of Rome and return it to FCO. Depending on logistics and itinerary, some travelers can do this by using a simple, inexpensive cab drive to that rental location. Obviously, if you are a large group with tons of luggage, this may not be the best idea.
Jul 14th, 2016, 07:02 AM
#25
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 310
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We spent 5 nights in Radda in Chianti a few years ago. We stayed at Relais Vignale in the annex (with views) and really enjoyed it. It is located right in town and a perfect location. Pawleys stayed there also I see.
We stayed near Castellina another year but in a rural location which meant we had to drive every night for dinner. Luckily my son and wife were with us and we didn't have to drive every night but it confirmed our desire to be located in a easy to get to hotel in a town.
We stayed near Castellina another year but in a rural location which meant we had to drive every night for dinner. Luckily my son and wife were with us and we didn't have to drive every night but it confirmed our desire to be located in a easy to get to hotel in a town.
Aug 7th, 2016, 10:44 AM
#26
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sorry for dropping off this thread for a while--just coming back to thank everyone again for all the very helpful tips and advice! Relais Vignale looks really nice, Pawleys and Colleen, but a bit over our budget--I wish it weren't so. Maybe another time! Foodsnob, I agree about trying to assess the perspective of reviewers on Tripadvisor, something I always try to do.
We have all of our hotel reservations for the trip and I had to take a break to catch up on real life, but now back to trip planning to wrap up a few things like rental car and maybe book a few tours. You will probably see one or two more questions from me on other topics.
Caio for now!
We have all of our hotel reservations for the trip and I had to take a break to catch up on real life, but now back to trip planning to wrap up a few things like rental car and maybe book a few tours. You will probably see one or two more questions from me on other topics.
Caio for now!
