First Time Tuscany

[Todd1977Tas]

Hi Everyone

I'm surprising my wife with a trip to Tuscany next year for her 40th birthday. It is her dream to visit. I have no clue what region to stay in and we will only have 7-10 days max.

Please can any of you help me out. I want to give her a traditional Tuscan experience.

Regards, Todd 🙂

[craigmillar]

Three queries to help formulate a reply:

1. What time of year? If you can be precise with the dates this will help even more.
2. Are you prepared to drive for a few days?
3. Are you keen walkers? Thinking of Cinque Terre here even though it is not in Tuscany.

[Todd1977Tas]

Don't mind walking at all or driving and dates are about 10-20th May.

Just wing the accommodation??

[Lourdes]

I would suggest planning to stay in the countryside at one place for the entire time, rent a car to get around and do day trips. If you stay central, anywhere between Florence and Siena, driving times to places should not be too long.

Do not wing accommodation -- places in busy season get booked months ahead, particularly for longer stays. Take a look at https://www.tuscanyaccommodation.com/ to browse around and see what you like, contact as many owners as you want and see about availability and cost.

You can do the classics:
- Florence
- Siena & Monteriggioni
- Chianti ( a wide area)
- San Gimignano & Volterra
- the Val d'Orcia (another entire area with many towns).

These places should cover you for the entire time, but if you do want to squeeze in Cinque Terre, I would plan it at the end, giving it 2 days and leaving your accommodation and staying in the area. Early May is still early season for CT so it should not be too crowded yet, you can always stay in nearby towns and use train to move around and hike in between some of the towns. Here's some info on moving around there: https://www.discovertuscany.com/cinq...que-terre.html

[craigmillar]

Lourdes as always has covered (just about) everything.

I would say that Lucca & Pisa should be included in the classics and geographically they could be done the day you travel to the Cinque Terre if they are included in your plans.

[Todd1977Tas]

Lourdes you are simply awesome. Thank you.

[Todd1977Tas]

Awesome thanks Craig. It'll be a whirlwind visit unfortunately.

[Lourdes]

Lourdes as always has covered (just about) everything.

I would say that Lucca & Pisa should be included in the classics and geographically they could be done the day you travel to the Cinque Terre if they are included in your plans.

I agree and would add Pisa and Lucca generally - if they have time, even if he doesn't include CT, they can add one or both.

I say remain flexible and where you head to every day is up to you once you're here!

[Todd1977Tas]

Would we just fly into Rome? We are flying from Tasmania.

[Lourdes]

Rome might be easiest but also Pisa is a good option, if you find any good priced flights.