Driving roads in Tuscany
Discussion
On a road trip at the moment and have a few days in Tuscany between Siena and Florence.
Bored out of my tiny brain after 20 minutes by the pool so can anyone recommend any decent drives in the area? Got a 650 cab and a GoPro so fancy going somewhere quiet to shoot decent footage and a few armfuls of oppo.
Any help much appreciated
Bored out of my tiny brain after 20 minutes by the pool so can anyone recommend any decent drives in the area? Got a 650 cab and a GoPro so fancy going somewhere quiet to shoot decent footage and a few armfuls of oppo.
Any help much appreciated
Shotaro said:
Hi,
I'd recommend aiming your sat nav to San Gimignano or Volterra and going around the roads near there, I was there in May and there were some fantastic driving roads, also I had rented a Fiat 500 and as weird as it might sound, had some of the best driving experiences I've had
Hope that helps
I'd recommend aiming your sat nav to San Gimignano or Volterra and going around the roads near there, I was there in May and there were some fantastic driving roads, also I had rented a Fiat 500 and as weird as it might sound, had some of the best driving experiences I've had
Hope that helps
I would recommend heading to Colle di Val D’Elsa and then take the S68 to Volterra. That’s a cracking road. Great twisties and long stretches to pass traffic on.
At Volterra the road to Saline has a fantastic section of switchbacks.
On the return I would cut across country from Volterra (at Roncolla take the side road to Pignano!!!) to San Gimignano (or head back on the SR68 and take the SP47 as that’s a cracker).
The most important thing to note about driving in Tuscany is that locals take corners on the crown of the road as it gives them advance warning of any car coming the other way and the lanes are full of serious cyclists this time of year and it is not appropriate at any time to drive faster than your cornering stopping distance visibility. Cyclists will be moving very fast, in batches and in the middle of the road.
At Volterra the road to Saline has a fantastic section of switchbacks.
On the return I would cut across country from Volterra (at Roncolla take the side road to Pignano!!!) to San Gimignano (or head back on the SR68 and take the SP47 as that’s a cracker).
The most important thing to note about driving in Tuscany is that locals take corners on the crown of the road as it gives them advance warning of any car coming the other way and the lanes are full of serious cyclists this time of year and it is not appropriate at any time to drive faster than your cornering stopping distance visibility. Cyclists will be moving very fast, in batches and in the middle of the road.
DonkeyApple said:
I would recommend heading to Colle di Val D’Elsa and then take the S68 to Volterra. That’s a cracking road. Great twisties and long stretches to pass traffic on.
At Volterra the road to Saline has a fantastic section of switchbacks.
On the return I would cut across country from Volterra (at Roncolla take the side road to Pignano!!!) to San Gimignano (or head back on the SR68 and take the SP47 as that’s a cracker).
Absolutely nothing to add At Volterra the road to Saline has a fantastic section of switchbacks.
On the return I would cut across country from Volterra (at Roncolla take the side road to Pignano!!!) to San Gimignano (or head back on the SR68 and take the SP47 as that’s a cracker).
Try however to avoid most busy hours, otherwise a great drive can soon become frustrating.
DonkeyApple said:
I would recommend heading to Colle di Val D’Elsa and then take the S68 to Volterra. That’s a cracking road. Great twisties and long stretches to pass traffic on.
At Volterra the road to Saline has a fantastic section of switchbacks.
On the return I would cut across country from Volterra (at Roncolla take the side road to Pignano!!!) to San Gimignano (or head back on the SR68 and take the SP47 as that’s a cracker).
This.At Volterra the road to Saline has a fantastic section of switchbacks.
On the return I would cut across country from Volterra (at Roncolla take the side road to Pignano!!!) to San Gimignano (or head back on the SR68 and take the SP47 as that’s a cracker).
Other route to try is the SS222 from Sienna to Castellina In Chianti, then the SS429 to Poggibonsi, then SS2/SR2/SR68 to Colle di Val D'elsa, finally SS541/SP101 back to Sienna. It's about 100KM overall and there are some fantastic views on the way, specifically on the SP101
DonkeyApple said:
I would recommend heading to Colle di Val D’Elsa and then take the S68 to Volterra. That’s a cracking road. Great twisties and long stretches to pass traffic on.
At Volterra the road to Saline has a fantastic section of switchbacks.
On the return I would cut across country from Volterra (at Roncolla take the side road to Pignano!!!) to San Gimignano (or head back on the SR68 and take the SP47 as that’s a cracker).
The most important thing to note about driving in Tuscany is that locals take corners on the crown of the road as it gives them advance warning of any car coming the other way and the lanes are full of serious cyclists this time of year and it is not appropriate at any time to drive faster than your cornering stopping distance visibility. Cyclists will be moving very fast, in batches and in the middle of the road.
We had a villa just outside Val d'Elsa for the Mille Miglia trip and did those roads a few times. Marvellous!!At Volterra the road to Saline has a fantastic section of switchbacks.
On the return I would cut across country from Volterra (at Roncolla take the side road to Pignano!!!) to San Gimignano (or head back on the SR68 and take the SP47 as that’s a cracker).
The most important thing to note about driving in Tuscany is that locals take corners on the crown of the road as it gives them advance warning of any car coming the other way and the lanes are full of serious cyclists this time of year and it is not appropriate at any time to drive faster than your cornering stopping distance visibility. Cyclists will be moving very fast, in batches and in the middle of the road.
San Gimignano is possibly one of the nicest places in Tuscany.
gobbo said:
This.
Other route to try is the SS222 from Sienna to Castellina In Chianti, then the SS429 to Poggibonsi, then SS2/SR2/SR68 to Colle di Val D'elsa, finally SS541/SP101 back to Sienna. It's about 100KM overall and there are some fantastic views on the way, specifically on the SP101
Anywhere around the Radda/Castellina in Chianti area. You can't go wrong around there. Stunning.Other route to try is the SS222 from Sienna to Castellina In Chianti, then the SS429 to Poggibonsi, then SS2/SR2/SR68 to Colle di Val D'elsa, finally SS541/SP101 back to Sienna. It's about 100KM overall and there are some fantastic views on the way, specifically on the SP101
The road from Florence to Siena through Castellina, Radda etc is stunning - it's called the Chiantigiana - and try to stop at Greve, Radda, Gaiole etc.
On the way back there is a cracking Pizzeria in Barberino Val d'Elsa called L'Archibugio - sits high up above the main road below some old flats.
The road to Volterra from Colle is - IMHO - a pain in the arse. Try instead the route round to Casole, Monteguidi, Radicondoli etc. Much quieter and more fun.
San Gimignano is simply stunning and - again IMHO - best seen in the evening or at night. There is a superb enoteca on the main square (Piazza della Cisterna) and a sublime ice cream parlour there too - the one sandwiched between the bank and the pharmacy, Gelateria la cisterna.
The Val d'Orcia is beautiful too - try to take in Montepulciano, Pienza and Montalcino (recommend bar la fortezza for some brunello sampling)
I could go on and on and on and on . . . . . .
Enjoy and I'm sure you'll love it
On the way back there is a cracking Pizzeria in Barberino Val d'Elsa called L'Archibugio - sits high up above the main road below some old flats.
The road to Volterra from Colle is - IMHO - a pain in the arse. Try instead the route round to Casole, Monteguidi, Radicondoli etc. Much quieter and more fun.
San Gimignano is simply stunning and - again IMHO - best seen in the evening or at night. There is a superb enoteca on the main square (Piazza della Cisterna) and a sublime ice cream parlour there too - the one sandwiched between the bank and the pharmacy, Gelateria la cisterna.
The Val d'Orcia is beautiful too - try to take in Montepulciano, Pienza and Montalcino (recommend bar la fortezza for some brunello sampling)
I could go on and on and on and on . . . . . .
Enjoy and I'm sure you'll love it
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