The shoreline area is more flat I guess, less hills there as I assume again, from maps. Temperatures are warm but not too hot, and crowds haven't hit their peak. Will be in Tuscany for four days and thinking one day each in Pisa, Florence and Montepulciano (or combine a couple (like Pisa/Florence). Same question for returning rental in Rome without having to deal with city driving. I talk about all places more in detail, but this overview might help you to get a better idea first. How to experience the Tuscan countryside - Love From Tuscany Hope you guys have an amazing trip to Tuscany and Cinque Terre! Ultimately, Tuscany is a beautiful destination year-round, and you can never go wrong with a visit. We will obviously try to learn what we can in Italian, but it is always helpful to know . We recently stayed at Hotel Croce di Malta, an excellent mid-budget 4*hotel with a lovely rooftop terrace. Spring is a great season as well, with consistently sunny days that are never too hot. Thats amazing to hear, thank you Susan! Check their websites if you're planning to visit on one of these days. Unfortunately, since all of the traffic controls are done by camera, youll have no sure way of knowing at the time you park if youve crossed the boundary. Having a rental car while in the city is not only unnecessary, its an absolute burden. If you want to compare possible areas to own a property in Tuscany though, Id probably recommend one night there and one night in the Val dOrcia area. Hello again, We will only have about 4 (3 full) days and nights to explore Florence and Tuscany. My husband and I are planning a trip for the end of Oct. We will be renting a car in Florence, spending about two days driving through Tuscany and returning the rental in Rome. The countryside of Tuscany is amazing. Thanks again! If you do have a longer trip to Tuscany planned, we recommend taking a look at some of the additional Tuscany road trip destinations that weve outlined below the main itinerary and seeing what other spots catch your eye. So if you are visiting in July or August, you may want to concentrate on the Tuscan countryside. Be sure not to miss a chance to climb the clock tower at Palazzo della Fraternita dei Laici right off the main square (Piazza Grande)the views from the top are absolutely sublime, and it is our personal favorite spot in Arezzo. Weve explored Tuscany by car, train, and tour, in large multigenerational family groups and as a couple, in tiny towns and in the fabulous cities of Florence and Siena. The Leaning Tower of Pisa is truly stunning, and far more opulent and beautiful in person than I expected before laying eyes on it for the first time. Ideally, we recommend a minimum of two full days here, which will give you enough time to explore all of the major sights. Would it be better to take a train all over to Florence and from there do the trip all over to Rome? Weve spent at least part of the last few autumns in Tuscany, and we see no reason to stop that tradition anytime soon. Bologna is the capital of Emilia-Romagna, the region that is home to so many of the things us foreigners tend to associate with Italian food: tagliatelle al ragu (aka spaghetti bolognese), mortadella (aka bologna), parmigiano-reggiano, traditional balsamic vinegar, and more. Hi Kate. That being said, theres something very special about taking a Tuscany road trip, and by not driving, you will lose out on the charm of seeing some of the smaller towns at night, miss some of the prettiest vistas, and have a little less freedom in planning your trip. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Lastly, we are doing some basic research in Tuscany in order to maybe get a place there down the road. 1. Many people leave luggage in the car when they have no other good option if it is kept out of sight in a locked trunk. Tuscany is a beautiful destination that has something to offer at any time of the year. Yes, Lucca, Pisa, Arezzo, and Siena are all easy to get to by train. this wine tour that brings you to Montalcino, Pienza, and Montepulciano from Siena. Save. For the best weather, visitors to Tuscany favor late spring, summer, and early fall. Ready to fall in love with one of Italy's most beloved regions? But definitely check out the wine cellar in Montepulciano if you go there! We hear that Florence is not terribly large and is very walkable? Can you suggest a good home base area? A 5 Day Tuscany Itinerary - The Globetrotter GP The region produces 13 varieties of D.O.C. Ideally, Id recommend only changing your base one other time. Wonderful, informative article! The Vespa Tour is a fun, and daring activity that has become a must-do for many visitors to Italy. Portovenere or Monterosso al Mare for a few days followed by a few days in Rapallo or St Margherita Ligure. The Chianti area is also between the two, though its a bit more out of the way to access! 2 The perfect Tuscany itinerary 2.1 Day 1: Florence 2.2 Day 2 Florence to Siena 2.3 Day 3 Siena to Val d'Orcia 2.4 Day 4 Val d'Orcia to Saturnia Take your time to explore Val dOrcia and visit at least a couple of charming littletowns in the area: Pienza, Montepulciano, San Quirico dOrcia, Monticchiello, Montalcino Also the Abbey of SantAntimo is worth a visit. We visited in late October so there were quite a lot of fall colors as well which made the landscape extra spectacular! Siena is packed full of interesting things to do: its home to arguably the most beautiful Duomo in Tuscany (dont forget to check out the Piccolomini Library while youre in there! Tuscan Road Trip Days 3 - 5: Relaxing in the Chianti region. Courtesy of Peter Zelei Images/Getty Images. Best way to travel : Train/Bus Approximate budget/head : 60 ($71) per day Tuscany Highlights : Uffizi Gallery, Leaning Tower of Pisa, Piazza del Campo, Giglio Tuscany - The land of sun-baked olive groves and vineyards The Tuscan region stretches from the Tyrrhenian Sea to the Apennines. This is very helpful info. We tend to go with whoever is most affordable, as the prices can vary so much. What gets a bit confusing is that some lines, like between Rome and Florence, have both high-speed trains (essential if youre making a day trip, as it takes under 2 hours), and regional/slow trains, which depending on the exact timetable can take anywhere from 3-5 hours or so. Book your skip-the-line tickets to visit the Leaning Tower of Pisa now! Wed like to drive to Cortona then to for wine tasting, then to Monticchiello for a 7:30 dinner at Daria & spend night. Weve outlined a few of each here to give you some ideas as you plan your trip to Tuscany! We would be going in Sept 2022. 1.2.1 By car 1.2.2 By train 1.3 How many days do you need to visit Tuscany? Keep in mind that youll probably have a one-way car rental fee if you do it this way. Hi All. Dating back to the Etruscan period and nestled on a hill high above the sweeping Tuscan landscapes it overlooks, Cortona is perhaps best known for the famous book/movie that is based there, but even without the fame brought by. Travel Insurance We dont ever suggest traveling without travel insuranceanything can happen, and this is definitely a case of better safe than sorry. Is the shore easily accessible? Easier to access than Elba but equally focused on all things coastal, the seaside city of Livorno is the perfect Tuscany road trip destination for anyone looking to enjoy a little sea and sun as part of their trip to Tuscany. For the best weather, visitors to Tuscany favor late spring, summer, and early fall. While both are great options, we'd never say no to 6 days in Tuscany, especially with cultural historian, Kate. If you visit Florence, Siena, Lucca, and other inland cities in July and August, you'll get crowds and hot, humid weather. In the summertime, the sun glares down on Tuscany and the warm rays are accompanied by average highs in the upper 80s. Split or Dubrovnik: Which Coastal Croatian City is Right for You? The Pistoia Blues Festival takes place in the northern Tuscan town of the same name. Jessica L. California, United States read more Read more reviews Planning Your Trip to Tuscany The more days, the betterbut any amount of time in Tuscany is a treat, especially if you plan ahead. The countryside is a PRIORITY, but we are considering not venturing too far from the city to limit travel time. Hi Rohini! Will Tuscany be crowded when you visit? My partner and I are going to copy this for our holiday in June this year. If you are on a tighter budget but want something really special, stay in Chiostro Delle Monache Hostel Volterra. Hi Kate! What about these small towns in Tuscany? And notice how at night the stars shine that much brighter when youre far enough from the city. And we very much want to explore a couple of very small villages. Its not the most efficient way to get from Florence to Venice of course (thatd be the high-speed train), but if you want to make a trip of it, youll have fun! We havent been ourselves yet but generally speaking theres no such thing as a wrong Tuscan town to visit. Pisa town center has no crowds and is very picturesque as well. Is it worth the risk of being refused a rental car or getting a ticket over $25 USD and a bit of hassle? We really appreciate it. Definitely learn what Italian you can, but Tuscans are very friendly and exceptionally used to foreigners. Many towns and cities in Tuscany rent bicycles for a few hours to a day or longer. Holy Week, the week leading up to Easter, will see masses and processions in Tuscany's larger cities. July, 06 2022 ( Updated June, 01 2023) Italy Tuscany Join us on a remarkable Tuscany Road trip. You really have helped me immensely! Were hoping to get a drive to our first destination (open to anywhere) and then pick up a car appreciate any extra tips you might have! Most toll roads in Tuscany will accept credit cards, but its always best to have small bills/coins of cash on youjust in case you run into a cash-only booth (or you need a last-minute coffee and/or gelato, which are also very important parts of any Tuscany road trip itinerary). You can also just stay in Florence the whole time and make day trips. Just dont expect to to be able to turn up out of the blue, most of these wineries are not open all-day so you need to book in advance. Thats the advantage of having a car in Tuscany! Through a combination of trains, buses, and carefully selected guided tours (we recommend several reputable ones in our Things to Do in Florence post), this Tuscany itinerary can be completed without a car, though the logistics will be challenging in certain places. Alternatively, you could easily visit Bologna. Would you say that is the case? My daughter and I just booked a rental car for our trip to Tuscany this summer thanks to your post. More tips for some of the most visited destinations in Italy: If you found this Tuscany itinerary helpful, dont forget to bookmark this post and share it with your friends. At the bottom of this guide of the best places to see in Florence, you can find some hotel recommendations for this area. So many things to see its hard to decide and are hoping you can help us out. One of my stops is in Luca and the hotel and parking garage are in the Atlantic. Book your Hotel Tuscany Itineraries 3 days in Tuscany 3 days in Tuscany Maximize your Itinierary Do you have just 3 days to visit Tuscany? for 5 nights and just do day trips from there. Recently we took delivery of a food box from Passione Toscana, a group of passionate foodies who handpick and deliver a range of the finest Tuscan food and wine products all over the world. So you are saying that all I need to do is call either the garage or hotel with my rental car license number and they would be able to get me a permit to drive inside the walled city to get to the hotel and garage? B&B Le Stanze del Duomo Though Florence hotels can be a bit pricey and stretch the definition of budget, B&B Le Stanzes beautiful rooms and impeccable location in Florence will be sure to have you swooning! Maremma. Get your cameras ready! Rolling hills, cypress trees, olive groves, vineyards dotted with beautiful farmhouses and ancient hamlets. Chestnuts and porcini mushrooms are in season, and the opening of hunting season means that wild boar (cinghiale), shows up on many fall restaurant menus. Other than that, Id recommend asking your hotel concierge, theyll no doubt know of someone. Siena Lucca Pisa San Gimignano Volterra Montepulciano Pienza These are the best, must-see towns and cities in Tuscany: 1. If you only have time to see Florence in a day, you dont want to waste it leafing through a guidebook wondering where to go. I have another question for you. Day 1 - Florence Florence is the perfect starting point for a Tuscan adventure because of its airport access and the wealth of attractions the city has to offer. You can definitely structure this trip as a road trip from Rome to Florence, touring Tuscany by road trip along the way instead if you prefer. Walled towns like Siena, San Gimignano, Lucca and Monteriggioni. I love the road trip based around Florence but given our route and our starting point, would you be able to recommend anywhere we should visit/stay/avoid that starts further north and drops into Tuscany. Any advice on how many days to spend in Florence vs Tuscany? Depending on which route you take down from Florence, you may pass Monteriggioni, if so, thatd be a lovely stop during your drive. Not to mention of course riding a Vespa on the Tuscan hills! We adore this beautiful hilltop town, and highly recommend spending at least one night either in town or nearby if you can, in order to enjoy the city without the crowds of day-trippers that tend to take over the streets during the day. For sure, I want to rent a car and do all by car. You can read more in our best of Tuscany itinerary from one central location post. You may want to consider a stop there before heading further south! Suggestions? (The pictures of the hotel views blew me away). My husband and I previously visited Florence and did a day trip to Pisa, Siena, and San Gimignano. Having already visited those places (wouldnt mind visiting San Gimignano again! Go in search of the delectable local nectar in ancient cellars surrounded by rolling hills or modern wine making facilities where you can learn about wines; from the Sangiovese based Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino to the noble wines of Montepulciano. Also, is Uber a thing in Italy? A City That Gives Life to Tuscany The citizens of Arezzo (pronounced a-ret-so) live the city; the historical center is not just a place that is visited on special occasions or celebrated for its monuments and architectural importance. Reusable Water Bottle Youre definitely going to want to carry water with you as you explore Tuscany (especially during the hot summer). If you have any very specific favorite wineries to stay at or places to dine, I would love to hear about them! I am considering a 3 night stay in Florence next Summer followed by a week in self catering accomodation somewhere on the coast (we will not be driving, therefore, will be making use of public transport when we transfer from Florence to our second destination). While youre there, be sure to stop by the beautiful Piazza Grande, admire views of the nearby Church of San Biagio that is located just outside of town, and to taste the local wine, vino nobile di Montepulciano. 2. Thanks so much for responding and for the additional tips! Not to be missed in Florence is the Cathedral (you can climb the dome of the Duomo as well), Ponte Vecchio, Accademia Gallery, Uffizi Gallery, and Palazzo Vecchio. I will take the advice of leaving the car in La Spezia, but if you had to choose to spend a night in Cinque Terre, which woudl you guys recommend, Vernazza or Manarola? This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content. If youd rather not drive you can join a tour: this Half-Day Chianti Tour offers you the chance to visit three wineries, taste different wines, visit the cellars and learn about the production process. Knock on wood, but hopefully our next Tuscan road trip is just around the corner! Along the way through the rolling hills, youll stop at two different wineries to taste their wares and discover all about the process of wine making in the Chianti. Which village is best for spending the night in Cinque Terre is definitely a matter of preference, and Vernazza and Manarola happen to be two of my top 3 favorites (the other is Riomaggiore). Tuscany road trip itinerary with the best scenic drives Is it risky to leave luggage in the trunk when parking there, too? Originally I was planning to head to Greve and stay at Borgo de Cabrea. November is cool and rainy, but less crowded than preceding months. On the other hand, you dont really need a car in the cities. Hop on a Vespa and hit the winding Tuscan roads. Residency requirements vary by state, but we maintain a technical permanent address in our home state of Oklahoma where we pay our taxes, maintain our businesses, keep our drivers licenses up to date, etc. This Tuscany itinerary starts and ends in Florence. For staying in the towns themselves, make sure your hotels have parking, but other than that, any and all of them make a great place to spend the night. Its not as urgent as in, say, July, but to get maximum availability its best to be prepared, especially if you have special requirements for your rental car such as wanting to rent an automatic. October is a great month for seasonal food festivals in Tuscany. IfCarnevaledidn't fall in February, it will take place in March. We have several properties linked in this post, but if youre looking for specific towns/cities, we also have recommendations in each of our independent city guides. Learn how your comment data is processed. Siena stay - Day 5: Time to move to Siena for the last 3 days. So while you'll still find crowds across most of Tuscany, at least it will be slightly cooler. Looking for some advice on my trip to Italy in Aug/Sept. Thanks. Thank you so much!!! in Tuscany and have no regrets. As you turn back north toward Florence to start to wind down your Tuscany road trip, be sure to check out the beautiful city of Arezzo. And, while you will lose some freedom, youll also gain a bit of peace of mind, as driving in Tuscany is certainly not the most carefree driving in the world! Well cover some tips and tricks for renting a car here below the Tuscany itinerary (or you can use the table of contents section at the bottom of the introduction to this Tuscany travel blog post to navigate there! The rest really depends on your interest and preferences. Hi Thank you for putting together all this info, it has filled me with excitement thinking about our trip this year. But cities and towns will still be crowded with touristsin fact, October is now one of the peak travel months in Florence, as visitors seek out cooler weather and still-sunny skies. Hi Bev, a lot will depend on when you travel and what you can still find. Nature gives a-plenty here when it comes to food. Of course one the simplest and most enjoyable past-times is just enjoying the landscape. 2 Days in Tuscany. The Perfect Tuscany Road Trip Itinerary (+ Driving Tips!) The prices for renting a compact car through Noleggiare are significantly cheaper than any other company. If you want Tuscany all to yourself, visit during the winter low season, but expect the cold and lots of rain. Weve driven from Portugal to Italy and/or France (and back) several times ourselves, so were very familiar with the breadth of the drive youre taking on. Wed like to spend at least one night in the city, and at least one in the country. The problem with winery visits is that it's not really something you can do (and enjoy wine) if you have to drive afterward. So glad it was helpful, Olivia! single. TIP: If you are touring around Tuscany by car, Id advise not to stay in Pisa. Youll be able to eat what youve prepared, and try out some amazing traditional recipes. Comments like this never fail to make my day, we are ALL about making sure your trip goes perfectly! If you only have 10 days to spend in Italy, this is the tour for you. We use and recommendSafety Wing for trips to Tuscany. Tuscany has great weather all throughout the year with warm and sunny summers and just mild rain and slightly colder temperatures in the fall and winter. Hi Gira! Weve visited museums, gone horseback riding, zipped along countryside roads on a Vespa, and taken quiet strolls down deserted country lanes. Val d'Orcia (around Pienza or so) We recommend searching for your car via Discover Car Hire, which will allow you to check out the rates of several different rental car agencies in Tuscany at once and compare prices and inclusions side-by-side. Do some wine tasting in the Tuscany countryside 5. In Florence, a German-styleChristmas Markettakes place on Piazza Santa Croce. That being said, the best time to visit Tuscany is in late spring or in early autumn. Thank you for putting all of your knowledge out there. Yes, absolutely. As the location of the birth, work, and death of St. Francis, Assisi is an enormously popular pilgrim destination among Catholic travelersbut even if youre not Catholic, this small Umbrian town has plenty of history and beauty to offer. Best Way to Visit the Tuscan Countryside - Tourist Italy If you are traveling by train, I recommenda hotel close to the railway station. This will be our base to see different places in Tuscany, as we have a car. Are you up to driving here or prefer to depend on public transport? Were not travel agents and dont plan/book trips for people, but were always happy to answer a few questions and point travelers in the right direction. Pack for wet weather and be extra grateful for the bright sunny days that may pop out. Wed love to head down to Aus and New Zealand one day! Since i live in The Netherlands, i will drive in from the north, Florence and start here and after Pisa-Lucca, the last stop instead of heading back to Florence is Cinque Terre, to enjoy a bit of the coast. We also love Lucca, its much quieter in many ways than Florence or Siena. Though you didnt really mention seaside areas I guess its because people dont tend to visit Tuscany region because of beaches, but still, there IS some seaside (judging from map sorry), and I would like to know more, either if you had any experience, or from locals or friends. But where do you go first? Bring a small pack of tissues, toss them in your day bag, and you wont have to worry about it. The scenery was so breathtaking it quickly made a road trip through Tuscany a MUST on our bucket list! Rural areas and hilltowns might be slightly cooler, but you might find it most comfortable to rest in our hotel during the hottest afternoon hours, then set out again after things start to cool down in the evening. We don't want to rent a car but want to go wine tasting and check out the countryside and maybe the hill towns. No. For the Amalfi Coast, you'll have to take a train to Naples (there are high-speed trains from Florence to Naples - see here for train schedules and to prebook your tickets). Below, you can find our suggested Tuscany itinerary that shows you where to go and what to see if you have one week in Tuscany. Play it safe and if you plan to drive during your trip, add getting an International Driving Permit to your pre-Tuscany planning! Depending on the length of your trip, and taking geographic proximity into account, here are our recommended priorities: 3 days: Florence 5 days, add: Siena 8 days, add: Montepulciano, Pienza, and Montalcino Instead, your license plate will be captured, the ticket will be sent to the owner of the car (ie, your rental company), and then your rental company will forward it onto you. Its all done by license plate and camera. Navigate forward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Is this your first time to Italy and thus interested in the main sights or do you also want to include some off-the beaten path areas in Tuscany on a return trip? Youre right, I didnt include seaside areas because typically, thats not what non-Italian travelers are looking for from the Tuscany region. On the route from Florence to Montepulciano, Monteriggioni and Siena are great options (depending on which route you take). Hi Planning on driving from Rome to Florence, taking our time. Set on a hilltop overlooking sweeping views of the Umbrian countryside, Orvieto is as historical as it is picturesque: dating back to the Etruscans and once (briefly) the home of the pope, whether youre looking to dive deep into the history, enjoy the tasty Orvieto Classico wine, or simply admire the magnificent vistas, Orvieto has something to offer. All rights reserved. As an Amazon Associate, Our Escape Clause earns from qualifying purchases. The Chianti area stretches between Florence and Siena in central Italy comprising around 12 thousand square kms of natural beauty and imbued with a true sense of tradition. The Best Time to Visit Tuscany - TripSavvy We structured this Tuscany road trip itinerary as a loop beginning and ending in Florence. This UNESCO-recognized valley is home to the Tuscan road trip views of your fantasies, and it truly has to be seen to be believed. Visit all the other beautiful cities of the Tuscany region 3. May is one of the best months to visit Tuscany, especially if you plan on hiking or biking. You can explore Florence and the surrounding countryside of Chianti for a blend of art, history, and . Hi, Considering adding a Tuscany component but limited to time. You also have to watch out for property closures: Many restaurants and hotels tend to close for a month or two. Albergo Chiusarelli is one of the best picks in towns in terms of price/location/quality. So while you'll have plenty of company, we recommend the months of April and May or September and October as the best times to visit Tuscany. Luxury meets sustainability at these unique ecolodges. In that case, you may want to add on a stop in Orvieto along the way as wellits in Umbria, and a beautiful place: https://www.ourescapeclause.com/things-to-do-in-orvieto-italy/. But generally speaking, Tuscany is at its busiest from April through Octoberit's no coincidence that this is also when the weather is at its best. If traveling by car, keep in mind that parking in the city is very expensive. San Gimignano is a tiny village. Small Pack of Tissues Most bathrooms in Italy will have toilet paper, but not all of them (especially in smaller train stations). We have traveled quite a bit independently throughout the years so we are comfortable going to new places. If you want to go further off the beaten path, the Tuscan island of Elba (where Napoleon was once banished to) is beautiful. Bike tours are getting more and more popular in Tuscany these days. Weve taken food tours and wine tours, and stopped at more than our fair share of vineyards and restaurants independently, too. Arezzo, Volterra, Pienza, Montepulciano are all delightful, some more commonly visited than others. Get ready for breathtaking scenic drives through enchanting landscapes, charming villages, and historic towns. If you drive into one, even accidentally, youre risking a big ticket (and weve definitely had to call tiny Tuscan police stations to help some of our family members pay them off months after the fact). You should also keep in mind that many restaurateurs, hoteliers and shopkeepers go on vacation in August, closing their doors to tourists. Dont limit your visit to the leaning tower of Pisa only! The site you suggested is much cheaper than the one I was originally looking at. So it all depends on which places you decide to visit. We typically focus on travel in the USA and Europe (especially in our beloved Italy), but feature destinations across the world! A few popular beach towns in Tuscany include Viareggio and Forte dei Marmi. So along that line, where would you recommend renting a car from? It's a cold month, though sunny days are possiblealthough snow is as well. Its a charming medieval town and its nice to just stroll the streets, check out some souvenir shops, and have a nice Tuscan dinner. Volterra has a great atmosphere in the evening, so its best to visit it later in the day. Generally speaking, in the case that you do get access to a ZTL zone to access hotel parking (I know yours doesnt have it, but just generally), you wont get a paper permit or anything like that. Traffic citations in Tuscany are generally captured via camera, so if you get one, you probably wont know it right away. The Lucca area or Chianti area is lovely for accessing northern Tuscany (Florence, Pisa, San Gimignano, etc). Is that an option? The Siena area makes a great base if your priority is Montepulciano and towns like the Val dOrcia. We will be arriving in Florence via train. Thank you for your help. Hotel Lungarno Nestled right against the Arno River and home to one of the best views of the Ponte Vecchio in Florence (not to mention some of the best views of the rest of Florence from their top deck), Hotel Lungarno is our personal if we everreallywant to splurge hotel in Florence.
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