Help Needed For Itinerary

dsryback

New member
My wife and I have been to Italy 3 times and its by far our favorite country to visit. We have been to all the major cities including CT and Siena. This summer we would like to spend 10 - 12 days in Tuscany ending up in Florence for a couple of days before heading home. We are in our upper 60s but very fit. I have never driven in Europe before. I have been looking at tour books and going crazy on how to plan out our stay. Don't really want to go on an organized tour.
We love good wine, food, beautiful landscape, strolling streets, and just relaxing at a leasurly pace, possibly ending the day with a cool dip in a pool. I was thinking about going the time of the year when Siena has its festival 7/2.
What I am really asking if someone has done this and can share their itinerary with us. I know its alot to ask. Where to start, where to stay, what towns, HELP. thanks
 
If you are planning to rent a car, then I think a good base in the Chianti area would be perfect, not too far from Siena and within easy driving distance to most of the highlights.

Take a look at Borgo Scopeto and Borgo di Pietrafitta as possible bases. Both have the wine, great views and pool! ;-)

As far as driving goes, if you know ahead of time some of the basic "differences" or things to be aware of, then I think you will find yourself quite comfortable once you finally get behind the wheel. Take a look at my article with some tips here:
https://www.discovertuscany.com/moving-around-tuscany/by-car.html

So 10 - 12 days only in Tuscany or including your last few days in Florence? Keep in mind you DON'T need a car in Florence, so you can plan to return it as soon as you head there and not deal with driving, the ZTL or expensive parking.

If you're planning on wine tasting at other places away from your base, do look into joining an organized tour for the day or half day so that you can truly enjoy the tasting and not worry about driving.

Aside from visiting Siena for the Palio (look into getting a shuttle into town rather than driving, because finding parking on that day is CRAZY), I'd suggest:
- spending easily 3-4 days in Chianti visiting Castellina in Chianti, Radda in Chianti, Gaiole in Chianti, San Gimignano, San Donato in Poggio, Colle Val d'Elsa, Monteriggioni, Greve in Chianti, Panzano in Chianti.... and the many estates/castles/villages in between ;-) I'd also include Volterra if possible.
- 3 days in Val d'Orcia - to visit Buonconvento, Montalcino, San Quirico, Pienza and Montepulciano - you can take advantage to enjoy the hot springs at Bagno Vignoni or Bagni San Filippo (a little further south than Bagno Vignoni).
- go to Arezzo and Cortona for a full day trip
- if you want to enjoy the seaside, head straight west and enjoy the coast between Piombino and Livorno. The area also has lots of wine around Bolgheri ;-).

Hope these are some starting points for you to start getting an itinerary planned!
 
Something different

Buongiorno,

I am thinking if you have already been here in Tuscany several that you might be looking for some "off the beaten track stops".

These are a few of my favorite places:

Casentino (this was my very first stop in Italy and I still love it!) Between castles, historic monestaries,national parks and great food...
https://www.discovertuscany.com/casentino/

Pitigliano / Sorano & Sovana, this trio of towns offers some interesting hiking opportunities
https://www.discovertuscany.com/maremma/pitigliano-highlights.html

If you really want to see some of the extreme corners of Tuscany you should also onsider driving up to the area of Lunigiana and the town of Pontremoli.
https://www.discovertuscany.com/lunigiana/
https://www.discovertuscany.com/lunigiana/pontremoli.html

Though I could probably list of a dozen or more places, I will add just one last place. Lucca is wonderful for lots of reasons - but if you have already been there, then I suggest you go outside of the city walls and discover the historic villas neary
https://www.discovertuscany.com/lucca/historical-villas-in-lucca.html

Hope this gives you a few ideas,

Buon Viaggio,

Donna Denise
 
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