tcreath

DH and I are off to Italy next month. Part of our itinerary includes 5 nights at an apartment near Bevagna. I have read a lot of great things about the Val d'Orcia on this board and would really like to visit. Would it be possible to visit as a daytrip from near Bevagna? The distances on viamichelin don't look too bad (distance from Bevagna to Pienza is 74 miles) but I learned in the past that distances can be deceiving. Any thoughts? If it is doable, any suggestions for a good itinerary to use the day to it's full advantage?

Thanks!
Tracy

tcreath

ttt

bobthenavigator

Tracy, That would be tough. Run the viamichelin program to see what they give you to Montepulciano--which is the most feasible hill town but hardly the heart of Val d' Orcia. Enjoy Umbria and see Spello,Gubbio, and Assisi.

tcreath

bob, thank you for your reply. I was afraid of that. We made the decision to spend all 5 nights in Umbria and I'm kind of regretting that now, but as we leave in about a month I don't want to make any changes. We will stick to exploring Umbria...very much looking forward to it!

Thank you!
Tracy

Traviata

Tracy,

Do consider driving about an hour north to the little town of Montone...it is very tiny and very charming....we spent the night and had a memorable meal at the restaurant of the Locanda del Capitano.....

tcreath

Traviata, thanks for the tip! We have a couple of guidebooks on Umbria and Montone is one of the towns we have highlighted to visit, but its nice to see an actual recommendation from someone who has been there. And thank youfor the name of the restaurant...we are always on the look out for great places to eat!

Tracy

Traviata

Tracy,

You are welcome..we were so taken with the hotel and the restaurant we can't wait to return...this town is really small so it was a wonderful surprise to find such elegance and charm hidden away....the meal we had was one of our best in Italy.

Dog_Mother

If you don't mind getting up early, and returning at night, you could certainly do a long daytrip of some of Val d'Orcia. Be sure to purchase some pecorino di Pienza cheese while you are there. Be sure to go to Sant Antimo abbey, which is south of Montalcino. Consider visiting one or two towns such as Montalcino, San Quirico d'Orcia, Pienza, or Montepulciano.

You certainly have LOTS of great places to visit closer to Bevagna. But, if you want to scope out southern Tuscany for NEXT year's visit--don't be afraid to do it. Just know that it will be a long, lovely, beautiful day.