Hi
My girlfriend and I are from South Africa and planning a trip to Italy in Sept in order to visit Venice (2nights), Rome (3 nights), and then the Tuscany area. We would like to stay somewhere in the Chianti country side for 5 nights from where we want to visit Siena, Florence, Lucca, Pisa, the Chianti (north of Siena) area and the Cinque Terre (if possible). I have researched a little and learnt that a car will be essential for the Chianti country area… for the rest (mentioned above) taking a bus/train seems possible. Don’t know which combination etc yet though… Would want to use public transport as far as possible. Initially I wanted to rent a car and drive up the Italian Riviera – all the way to the French border (but I think that will have to wait until next time…) Not that I don’t want to, but just a little uncertain about such a road trip…mainly due to concerns about difficulties with having to drive that route and the time required etc… I need to mention that here in South Africa we drive on the right side of the road… If anyone could give me some advice on that it would be great…
Anyway…back to Tuscany…
Biggest struggle thus far is to find a base that would be central and accessible by car and bus (in order to get access to a train station). Will rent a car but don’t want to rent one for five days if we’ll only use it once…(not sure how much we’ll be able to use it in order to visit our planned destinations and don’t want to rent one, return it and then have to struggle to find a means of transport back to wherever we will be staying.
So I’m just trying to think of practicality etc. Would prefer to stay somewhere that is not too expensive and to which one can return daily and then perhaps have a bottle of wine before heading off to bed… Self catering, cabin, bed and breakfast should do it...
Its our first visit to Italy so we’re definitely clueless…but getting there… some help and good advice will be much appreciated.
Oh and if there are any good recommendations for picnic spots in that area… then please let me know…
Fred.
My girlfriend and I are from South Africa and planning a trip to Italy in Sept in order to visit Venice (2nights), Rome (3 nights), and then the Tuscany area. We would like to stay somewhere in the Chianti country side for 5 nights from where we want to visit Siena, Florence, Lucca, Pisa, the Chianti (north of Siena) area and the Cinque Terre (if possible). I have researched a little and learnt that a car will be essential for the Chianti country area… for the rest (mentioned above) taking a bus/train seems possible. Don’t know which combination etc yet though… Would want to use public transport as far as possible. Initially I wanted to rent a car and drive up the Italian Riviera – all the way to the French border (but I think that will have to wait until next time…) Not that I don’t want to, but just a little uncertain about such a road trip…mainly due to concerns about difficulties with having to drive that route and the time required etc… I need to mention that here in South Africa we drive on the right side of the road… If anyone could give me some advice on that it would be great…
Anyway…back to Tuscany…
Biggest struggle thus far is to find a base that would be central and accessible by car and bus (in order to get access to a train station). Will rent a car but don’t want to rent one for five days if we’ll only use it once…(not sure how much we’ll be able to use it in order to visit our planned destinations and don’t want to rent one, return it and then have to struggle to find a means of transport back to wherever we will be staying.
So I’m just trying to think of practicality etc. Would prefer to stay somewhere that is not too expensive and to which one can return daily and then perhaps have a bottle of wine before heading off to bed… Self catering, cabin, bed and breakfast should do it...
Its our first visit to Italy so we’re definitely clueless…but getting there… some help and good advice will be much appreciated.
Oh and if there are any good recommendations for picnic spots in that area… then please let me know…
Fred.