Volterra and San Gimignano in a day
Nov 27th, 2016, 02:25 PM
#21
Others have focused on whether it's possible or advisable to visit SanG and Volterra in one day... I'm stuck on the fact that almost all of your time in Tuscany will be impacted on some level by Easter. Not all of the impact would be negative, but you should consider it.
It sounds like you arrive in Siena on Good Friday (or the night before). You need to investigate how easy it will be to see the inside of the Duomo on Good Friday. I assume entry will be possible for much of the day, but I don't know what you should expect in terms of timing and crowds. I also assume the Torre will be open, but you should check that too. I would definitely make a dinner reservation in advance for that evening.
There may be more traffic on the roads because of the holiday weekend, and SanG and Volterra (and others) may be more crowded than a typical Saturday. You also need to determine whether and how Easter Sunday and Easter Monday will impact your sightseeing plans in the Montepulciano area. There are markets in several towns on Easter Monday, which could be either a reason to visit a particular town or a reason to go elsewhere, depending on your interests. I think I'd make dinner reservations in advance for every evening.
It sounds like you arrive in Siena on Good Friday (or the night before). You need to investigate how easy it will be to see the inside of the Duomo on Good Friday. I assume entry will be possible for much of the day, but I don't know what you should expect in terms of timing and crowds. I also assume the Torre will be open, but you should check that too. I would definitely make a dinner reservation in advance for that evening.
There may be more traffic on the roads because of the holiday weekend, and SanG and Volterra (and others) may be more crowded than a typical Saturday. You also need to determine whether and how Easter Sunday and Easter Monday will impact your sightseeing plans in the Montepulciano area. There are markets in several towns on Easter Monday, which could be either a reason to visit a particular town or a reason to go elsewhere, depending on your interests. I think I'd make dinner reservations in advance for every evening.
Nov 28th, 2016, 06:00 AM
#22
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Jean, very good point on the Duomo. I will add that to my list as well as other sites in Siena to contact to double-check their opening hours. I had focused on Easter affecting the countryside, but not Siena.
I've been so surprised that I have found very little information from other travelers for their experiences in the countryside of Tuscany for Easter. I plan to come back with a detailed report so others can learn about what's possible over the Easter weekend. I have discovered a few reports that there should be some shops open in a few places. We will plan to make restaurant reservations in advance. I have located a agriturismo/restaurant that offers tours and cooking classes on Sunday and Monday so I think we may do that. I'm also in process for contacting wineries for visits. Some are open, some are not. I'm hoping that with thoughtful planning we will have success.
I've been so surprised that I have found very little information from other travelers for their experiences in the countryside of Tuscany for Easter. I plan to come back with a detailed report so others can learn about what's possible over the Easter weekend. I have discovered a few reports that there should be some shops open in a few places. We will plan to make restaurant reservations in advance. I have located a agriturismo/restaurant that offers tours and cooking classes on Sunday and Monday so I think we may do that. I'm also in process for contacting wineries for visits. Some are open, some are not. I'm hoping that with thoughtful planning we will have success.
Nov 28th, 2016, 06:33 AM
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We arrived in San Quirico in the Val d'Orcia on the Saturday before Easter in 2013. San Quirico was somewhat crowded - but that's about all that was crowded that weekend. Not many people in the countryside or Siena & Oriveto the following week. Not sure we made it to Pienza the first week we were there (probably the second week after Easter) - but it was not crowded either. Didn't visit San G on that trip. The trains were packed getting there - but most everyone was heading south to Rome from Milan to see the new Pope give his first Easter greeting.
Stu Dudley
Stu Dudley
Nov 28th, 2016, 09:05 AM
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I've scanned most of the replies, but if there is a mention of closing times, I didn't see it.
Strolling and exploring on foot in small Tuscany towns can be impeded by afternoon closing hours. It's not a lot of fun to be in Volterra or some other places between 12 and 4 if most shops and even attractions, including churches, are closed.
In small town Italy, I find afternoon closures to be an important planning factor.
San Gimignano has a few things that make a visit there worthwhile to me, despite crowds. The interior of the Duomo and the food. Both incredible.
Strolling and exploring on foot in small Tuscany towns can be impeded by afternoon closing hours. It's not a lot of fun to be in Volterra or some other places between 12 and 4 if most shops and even attractions, including churches, are closed.
In small town Italy, I find afternoon closures to be an important planning factor.
San Gimignano has a few things that make a visit there worthwhile to me, despite crowds. The interior of the Duomo and the food. Both incredible.
Nov 28th, 2016, 09:44 AM
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Lunch closings are great times for scenic drives in the countryside, a long lunch, or to travel from one site to the next (San G to Voltarra - lunch in either San G or Volterra).
Our closest friends who owned a second home in San Quirico for 8 years, told us the story of purchasing a vacuum cleaner. They went to the local hardware store around 11 am on a Saturday, did some looking and questioning, and settled on a specific vacuum cleaner. Then they needed vacuum cleaner bags. None were sold at the store where they purchased the vacuum - only available in Montepulciano - 45 mins away. They knew it was lunch closing - but based on their experience, they didn't know if the store opened at 3 or 4 after lunch. So they arrived at the store at 4PM & purchased the bags. After they got back to their home and tried to use the vacuum - they realized that it needed a plug adapter. Their local store where they purchased the vacuum didn't have one. It was too late in the day, so they had to go back to Montepulciano the next morning. But wait!!!! The next morning is Sunday when everything is closed for the entire day. And the morning after that is Monday, when many shops (including the store they needed) are closed in the morning.
It took our friends quite a while to get use to store closings at lunch & Sundays & Mondays.
PS - When we visited our friends once in October, we purchased a white truffle in Siena for dinner. We then needed a truffle slicer. Truffle slicers are difficult to find in the US - but the same store down the street that sold our friends the vacuum - had truffle slicers. No vacuum bags or plug adapters - but plenty of truffle slicers. They knew what sells.
Stu Dudley
Our closest friends who owned a second home in San Quirico for 8 years, told us the story of purchasing a vacuum cleaner. They went to the local hardware store around 11 am on a Saturday, did some looking and questioning, and settled on a specific vacuum cleaner. Then they needed vacuum cleaner bags. None were sold at the store where they purchased the vacuum - only available in Montepulciano - 45 mins away. They knew it was lunch closing - but based on their experience, they didn't know if the store opened at 3 or 4 after lunch. So they arrived at the store at 4PM & purchased the bags. After they got back to their home and tried to use the vacuum - they realized that it needed a plug adapter. Their local store where they purchased the vacuum didn't have one. It was too late in the day, so they had to go back to Montepulciano the next morning. But wait!!!! The next morning is Sunday when everything is closed for the entire day. And the morning after that is Monday, when many shops (including the store they needed) are closed in the morning.
It took our friends quite a while to get use to store closings at lunch & Sundays & Mondays.
PS - When we visited our friends once in October, we purchased a white truffle in Siena for dinner. We then needed a truffle slicer. Truffle slicers are difficult to find in the US - but the same store down the street that sold our friends the vacuum - had truffle slicers. No vacuum bags or plug adapters - but plenty of truffle slicers. They knew what sells.
Stu Dudley
Dec 24th, 2016, 02:19 PM
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When staying in Florence we DROVE in the morning to San Gimignano walked around and saw as much as we needed to see, including stopping in some shops. Then drove to Volterra and walked around and had a great outdoor lunch. Then drove go Siena and walked around for a while. Then drove back to Florence before dinner.
Unless you have your own auto or a driver I do not know how you can get from San Gimignano to Volterra. I am sure there is a tour from Florence to each town but I do not know if any tours go to both in one day. None of them arr that far apart but are in different directions.
Unless you have your own auto or a driver I do not know how you can get from San Gimignano to Volterra. I am sure there is a tour from Florence to each town but I do not know if any tours go to both in one day. None of them arr that far apart but are in different directions.
