Driving through Tuscany

[cgaslow]

We will be staying in Barga, and would like to drive to San Gimignano, Siena, Monteriggioni, Montepulciano, and end touring a winery in Greve, before returning to Barga.is that doable in one day. Also, what would be the best stops to follow in order to do this itinerary most time effective?

[DonnaDenise]

Buongiorno -

all those places merit to be visited...but just not all on the same day. You will find yourself driving more than visiting.

Try doing San Gimignano, Monteriggioni & maybe Siena all on one day....still a lot to see and do. You could also try doing a wine tasting closer to Monteriggioni or even near San Gimignano at Pietrafitta, I happend upon the outside picnic area with my sister and we got a plate of cheese and 4 wines for a very small fee...very nice.

It still makes for a long day - I would drive straight thru to Siena (early) enjoy the city and then maybe head out to Monteriggioni for lunch (lots of lovely restaurants & enotecas in the town). Monteriggioni is small - has good (paid) parking and you can easily visit it quickly without feeling like you really gave it its fair share of time. Maybe do a wine tasting on your way out. Go to San Gim - again (paid) parking is easy. Do happy hour in the square - maybe enjoy the sunset....may another wine tasting and then back home. It's still a bit of a ride home - so you may want to do dinner or not at San Gim - remember most restaurants don't open until after 7:30 pm.

Greve is a beautiful little town - but it will really take you out of the way and believe me when I say that both Monteriggioni & San Gim will give you that small town feel!

Montepulciano and Val d'Orica (Pienza, Montalcino & Buonconvento) really are worth a day all on their own - AND you can do some more wine tasting because this area will give you a whole other flavour of Tuscany. You may want to do the scenic route in the morning and drive to Buonconvento or Montalcino first - then (maybe Bagno Vignoni) Pienza and end up in Montepulciano. When you drive home you can take the major highway - its still a good drive but in the evening (after a wine tasting) probably best to not try all those curves...besides the scenery is photo worthy!!

Buon Viaggio