What to do in Tuscany?
Discussion
As per the title really. We've just booked our first trip to Tuscany, staying on the eastern edge of the region, near Cortona and Arezzo.
The idea is to go for a relaxing break, so we probably won't stray too far afield. Florence is about as far away as we would venture, I think.
So, what's worth visiting?
The idea is to go for a relaxing break, so we probably won't stray too far afield. Florence is about as far away as we would venture, I think.
So, what's worth visiting?
We've stayed near there, at Pozzo della Chiana a couple of times in recent years so know the area reasonably well.
If you want to go to Florence, take the train from Arezzo, far more simple than driving. Book entry in advance to any museums you would want to go and see, it gets unbelievably busy.
If you are flying into Pisa, stop off at Lucca on the way there or back.
Dont know whether you are into art and architecture or not, if you are then you are in for a treat.
Arezzo is nice for a day, the della Francesca frescoes in the main church are worth seeing, but it's fair to say that it's not the most well known of Tuscan towns. The restaurant that is to your right as you exit the main door of the church is ok, I had the nicest pasta I've ever had there, just having the lunch menu rather than anything a la carte. Also make sure you have some of the local beef, those white bad boy cows are really tasty.
I would really suggest three day trips, to Siena, Perugia and Orvieto. None are more than an hour's drive from Arezzo but all will be significantly less busy than Florence and have some really cool stuff. We also found Pienza to be fascinating, but that might be a bit far if you don't want to do too much driving.
We picked up a copy of the Rough Guide to Tuscany. It's very good for the historical side of things.
If you want to go to Florence, take the train from Arezzo, far more simple than driving. Book entry in advance to any museums you would want to go and see, it gets unbelievably busy.
If you are flying into Pisa, stop off at Lucca on the way there or back.
Dont know whether you are into art and architecture or not, if you are then you are in for a treat.
Arezzo is nice for a day, the della Francesca frescoes in the main church are worth seeing, but it's fair to say that it's not the most well known of Tuscan towns. The restaurant that is to your right as you exit the main door of the church is ok, I had the nicest pasta I've ever had there, just having the lunch menu rather than anything a la carte. Also make sure you have some of the local beef, those white bad boy cows are really tasty.
I would really suggest three day trips, to Siena, Perugia and Orvieto. None are more than an hour's drive from Arezzo but all will be significantly less busy than Florence and have some really cool stuff. We also found Pienza to be fascinating, but that might be a bit far if you don't want to do too much driving.
We picked up a copy of the Rough Guide to Tuscany. It's very good for the historical side of things.
Highway Star said:
We've stayed near there, at Pozzo della Chiana a couple of times in recent years so know the area reasonably well.
We're staying in Polvano, which - according to Google Maps - is just around the corner.Train into Florence sounds like a plan. Art galleries have never really been our thing, but for the home of the renaissance I think we'll make an exception. Plus, I'm a bit of a history geek - the older the better - so I'll have to check out some of the Etruscan remains in the area.
Any affordable restaurants you'd recommend in the immediate vicinity of Castiglion Fiorentino or Cortona?
Oh, on a random note, does anyone know of any mountain biking in the area? Nothing too hardcore - just somewhere we could hire some bikes and get off the road?
San Giminiano is lovely, but so so busy these days in tourist season. Not been to Fiesole, but it sounds lovely.
OP, if you like the Etruscan side of things, you'll be interested in the museum at Cortona and the one in Orvieto (my OH has a Classics degree so I'm used to spending time trailing around these places). Also Lake Trasimeno near Cortona is where Hannibal beat the Romans, I think there is a museum near there, but haven't been.
I'm afraid I don't have any restaurant recommendations for those places, we were self catering but had local friends nearby and the place we were staying had wonderful views, so we ate at home most nights or at our friend's house.
OP, if you like the Etruscan side of things, you'll be interested in the museum at Cortona and the one in Orvieto (my OH has a Classics degree so I'm used to spending time trailing around these places). Also Lake Trasimeno near Cortona is where Hannibal beat the Romans, I think there is a museum near there, but haven't been.
I'm afraid I don't have any restaurant recommendations for those places, we were self catering but had local friends nearby and the place we were staying had wonderful views, so we ate at home most nights or at our friend's house.
I know a cpl of decent restaurants in Pisa and a superb little old fashioned alcohol shop in Florence where you can buy wines, spirits and Limoncella that you wont find in the supermarkets and far cheaper.
Eating in Florence is expensive. NEVER drive in the place and the airport is dull, so spend as little time there as possible. The airport at Pisa is basically a hut.
Eating in Florence is expensive. NEVER drive in the place and the airport is dull, so spend as little time there as possible. The airport at Pisa is basically a hut.
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