Using Siena as homebase, where should we go for daytrips in Tuscany?
Aug 2nd, 2008, 06:20 AM
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Using Siena as homebase, where should we go for daytrips in Tuscany?
We will be in Tuscany for 4 days in September using Siena as our homebase. Assuming we will spend one day in Siena, what should we do the other 3 days? We will have a rental car and are hoping to make driving day trips to surrounding towns -- such as Montalcino, San Gimignano, etc. Welcoming all suggestions including great places to eat, vineyards to see, best drive trips for scenery. Also is Chianti region better than Brunello? Thanks in advance for all advice.
Aug 2nd, 2008, 07:19 AM
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Add Pienza, Monteriggio, possibly Orvieto, Greve in Chianti.
"Is Chianti region better than Brunello?" No, just different. One looks like California, the other like Virginia. Now you can have fun figuring out which is which!
"Is Chianti region better than Brunello?" No, just different. One looks like California, the other like Virginia. Now you can have fun figuring out which is which!
Aug 2nd, 2008, 09:49 PM
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The Val d'Orcia region (where Montalcino and others are located) is one of THE most gorgeous areas in Tuscany. The Chianti region, IMHO is much less awe-inspiring, although pretty in itself.
I would add the following beautiful small hill towns to your agenda :
San Quirico
Pienza
Montepulciano
Montichiello
La Foce Gardens
In Montalcino, two great places to eat are Grappolo Blu and Les Barriques. In Pienza, Latte di Luna. All should be reserved unless you want to take a chance.
As an aside, just about anywhere you happen to fall upon, whether on purpose or by accident, will be gorgeous, one prettier than the next(this from experience!!).
I would add the following beautiful small hill towns to your agenda :
San Quirico
Pienza
Montepulciano
Montichiello
La Foce Gardens
In Montalcino, two great places to eat are Grappolo Blu and Les Barriques. In Pienza, Latte di Luna. All should be reserved unless you want to take a chance.
As an aside, just about anywhere you happen to fall upon, whether on purpose or by accident, will be gorgeous, one prettier than the next(this from experience!!).
Aug 2nd, 2008, 10:18 PM
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Within an easy drive of Siena and San Gimignano is Monteriggioni, Colle di Val d'Elsa, and Volterra -- and they can be visited in one day. Here is my trip report, starting at our picking up our rental car in Siena.
http://travelswithdiane.homestead.co...15Tuscany.html
If you head south, be sure to stop in Pienza. It's a lovely town.
http://travelswithdiane.homestead.co...15Tuscany.html
If you head south, be sure to stop in Pienza. It's a lovely town.
Aug 3rd, 2008, 07:33 AM
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Here is a list of good eats. It also is a good itinerary for towns to visit.
GOOD EATS IN TOSCANA---2008
I have never been called “ BOB THE FOODIE” , but here are some of the best places to eat in Tuscany based on feedback from many of my clients. Reservations are suggested for most!
$=inexpensive $$=moderate prices $$$= expensive
FLORENCE:
Osteria del Cinghiale Bianco $$ Across the river & very good.
La Giostra $$$ Excellent, but you must book in advance
SIENA:
Osteria Le Logge $$ Great place for lunch and near Il Campo
Cane e Gato $$$ A fixed price & menu for a true feast—allow 4 hours
LUCCA:
Buca di San Antonio $$ Best in town and near San Michele
Il Giglio $$ In the piazza of the same name---favorite with locals
SAN GIMIGNANO:
Il Pino $$ Very good typical Tuscan fare
Le Vecchie Mura $ Good value for a tourist town
MONTALCINO:
Taverna Grappolo Blu $ Popular with locals as well.
Ristorante Poggio Antico $$ Excellent cuisine 5km south of town at winery location
MONTEPULCIANO:
La Grotta $$ Near San Biagio church & very good
Café Poliziano $ Great place for lunch on shopping street
PIENZA: Latte du Luna $$ Best choice in this charming village
BAGNO VIGNONI: Osteria del Leone $ Good lunch choice in this spa hamlet
MONTICCHIELLO: La Porta $ Charming place with outside terrace
SAN QUIRICO: Trattoria al Vecchio Forno $ Good food & fair value
CASTELLINA: Al Gallopapa $$$ Creative & varied menu in Chianti
GOOD EATS IN TOSCANA---2008
I have never been called “ BOB THE FOODIE” , but here are some of the best places to eat in Tuscany based on feedback from many of my clients. Reservations are suggested for most!
$=inexpensive $$=moderate prices $$$= expensive
FLORENCE:
Osteria del Cinghiale Bianco $$ Across the river & very good.
La Giostra $$$ Excellent, but you must book in advance
SIENA:
Osteria Le Logge $$ Great place for lunch and near Il Campo
Cane e Gato $$$ A fixed price & menu for a true feast—allow 4 hours
LUCCA:
Buca di San Antonio $$ Best in town and near San Michele
Il Giglio $$ In the piazza of the same name---favorite with locals
SAN GIMIGNANO:
Il Pino $$ Very good typical Tuscan fare
Le Vecchie Mura $ Good value for a tourist town
MONTALCINO:
Taverna Grappolo Blu $ Popular with locals as well.
Ristorante Poggio Antico $$ Excellent cuisine 5km south of town at winery location
MONTEPULCIANO:
La Grotta $$ Near San Biagio church & very good
Café Poliziano $ Great place for lunch on shopping street
PIENZA: Latte du Luna $$ Best choice in this charming village
BAGNO VIGNONI: Osteria del Leone $ Good lunch choice in this spa hamlet
MONTICCHIELLO: La Porta $ Charming place with outside terrace
SAN QUIRICO: Trattoria al Vecchio Forno $ Good food & fair value
CASTELLINA: Al Gallopapa $$$ Creative & varied menu in Chianti
Aug 3rd, 2008, 08:42 AM
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Hi Bob,
Just ate a few weeks ago at La Giostra. Shared a Steak Fiorentine with my wife!!! $120 steak... If you like it medium, make sure to ask for it cooked. Despite my conversation with the waiter (knowing that they like to serve meat), they still served it raw raw raw.
We ate at Vecchie Mura a few weeks ago as well. We enjoyed a wonderfully relaxed and enjoyable dinner experience. The grotto is cool and the views from the terrace of the rolling Tuscan hills are unbeatable. Nice video of the restaurant here:
http://www.webvisionitaly.com/catego...p;ref_item=368
Volterra and the Etruscan museum makes for a great afternoon. You can do San Gimignano in the same day. Try to avoid the weekends here.
Montalcino is wonderful. We just filmed here for 2009 series.
http://www.webvisionitaly.com/catego...p;ref_item=361
Ackislander, very nice description and challenge!
Just ate a few weeks ago at La Giostra. Shared a Steak Fiorentine with my wife!!! $120 steak... If you like it medium, make sure to ask for it cooked. Despite my conversation with the waiter (knowing that they like to serve meat), they still served it raw raw raw.
We ate at Vecchie Mura a few weeks ago as well. We enjoyed a wonderfully relaxed and enjoyable dinner experience. The grotto is cool and the views from the terrace of the rolling Tuscan hills are unbeatable. Nice video of the restaurant here:
http://www.webvisionitaly.com/catego...p;ref_item=368
Volterra and the Etruscan museum makes for a great afternoon. You can do San Gimignano in the same day. Try to avoid the weekends here.
Montalcino is wonderful. We just filmed here for 2009 series.
http://www.webvisionitaly.com/catego...p;ref_item=361
Ackislander, very nice description and challenge!
Dec 20th, 2008, 04:07 AM
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If you are interested in a wine excursion to Chianti wine country you should check out www.squidoo.com/chianti-wine-tours . It is full of useful information to help the independent traveler to arrange a wine tour in Chianti, Tuscany
Hope this helps
Hope this helps
Dec 20th, 2008, 08:31 AM
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Read "Heat" by Bill Buford and then be sure to visit "the most famous butcher in the world," the Dante-quoting Dario Cecchini at his butcher shop/restaurant in Panzano [between Florence and Siena].
Reservations a must -- we went for lunch
Ps- wines, as you would expect, are delicious
Reservations a must -- we went for lunch
Ps- wines, as you would expect, are delicious
Jan 2nd, 2009, 06:22 PM
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Ok, I just read the post about the difference between Chianti and Brunello, and being compared to California and Virginia. I have been to Chianti and I live in California and have been all over the state. However, I have never been to Virginia but have been to other nearby states so I'm familiar with the location. While I might see "some" similarities between Chianti and California, Chianti was really nothing like home. But not sure I would compare Chianti to an east coast state either. So which is which? I think I'd like the one more like Virginia, since I already live in California.
I am going to Italy in May so I would really like to know....
I am going to Italy in May so I would really like to know....
Jan 3rd, 2009, 07:23 AM
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I would describe Chianti as more hilly, more rugged hills, more trees and undergrowth.
Val d'Orcia (think calendar pics of Tuscany), more rolling hills of wheat and vineyards, longer views, rows of cypress, red poppies in late spring/early summer.
I love it all!
Val d'Orcia (think calendar pics of Tuscany), more rolling hills of wheat and vineyards, longer views, rows of cypress, red poppies in late spring/early summer.
I love it all!
Jan 3rd, 2009, 07:38 AM
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kfs,
Just a thought on using Siena as a base for day trips.
Based on my visits, I would prefer to stay outside of Siena. It's hard to park and drive in/out of Siena as the major highways around the town can be a bit confusing. It's really the only place in Tuscany/Umbria where we got a little lost and had to pull over multiple times to find the right road.
We stayed in Chianti and did a day trip to Siena and other towns from there. Worked well for us! It was very easy to drive in and out and park at our tiny village in Chianti, San Sano.
Just a thought on using Siena as a base for day trips.
Based on my visits, I would prefer to stay outside of Siena. It's hard to park and drive in/out of Siena as the major highways around the town can be a bit confusing. It's really the only place in Tuscany/Umbria where we got a little lost and had to pull over multiple times to find the right road.
We stayed in Chianti and did a day trip to Siena and other towns from there. Worked well for us! It was very easy to drive in and out and park at our tiny village in Chianti, San Sano.
Jan 3rd, 2009, 09:17 AM
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I have a long list of favorite restaurants, drives and shopping in central Italy which I will email to you.
I agree with Bob's list of places to eat (but I've heard that Trattoria al Vecchio Forno is not as good as it was). In addition I love the following.
Cantinetta Rignana $$ by Badia a Passignano (closed Tuesdays)
Ristoranti la scuderia $$ Beautiful family run restaurant
Lamole $$ in the town of Lamole by Greve (Closed Monday and Wed lunch)
Al Chiasso dei Portici $$ in Radda (Closed Tuesday)
La Chiusa in Montefallonico just north of Montepulciano $$$ beautiful view (closed Tuesday
You might head in a different direction each day with a lunch destination.... stopping along the way and trying to go and come back on via different roads. Just buy a good map.
When in Siena see if either of that years winning contradas are having dinners... it will be an experience you can't find anywhere.
I agree with Bob's list of places to eat (but I've heard that Trattoria al Vecchio Forno is not as good as it was). In addition I love the following.
Cantinetta Rignana $$ by Badia a Passignano (closed Tuesdays)
Ristoranti la scuderia $$ Beautiful family run restaurant
Lamole $$ in the town of Lamole by Greve (Closed Monday and Wed lunch)
Al Chiasso dei Portici $$ in Radda (Closed Tuesday)
La Chiusa in Montefallonico just north of Montepulciano $$$ beautiful view (closed Tuesday
You might head in a different direction each day with a lunch destination.... stopping along the way and trying to go and come back on via different roads. Just buy a good map.
When in Siena see if either of that years winning contradas are having dinners... it will be an experience you can't find anywhere.
Jan 3rd, 2009, 09:24 AM
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We have toured winerys with these people and it was wonderful. http://www.smallvineyardstravel.com/
