Pisa - Florence - Rome - Back to Pisa (ideas please)
Discussion
So, thinking of a trip to Tuscany in Sept, but as opposed to just doing Florence, Pisa etc, I'm thinking I could take in a few more places, staying somewhere different each night, but getting to see a little more of a wider area.
My rough "pick a place" on Google maps gives me this :
Pisa
Florence
Montepulciano
Rome
Orbetello
Piombino
back to Pisa
Anywhere I should be staying at instead of some of the above?
My rough "pick a place" on Google maps gives me this :
Pisa
Florence
Montepulciano
Rome
Orbetello
Piombino
back to Pisa
Anywhere I should be staying at instead of some of the above?
I wouldn't stay in Pisa as it can be done as a day trip from any of the other nearby cities. Aside from the leaning tower, there's not too much to do. Siena and Florence are really nice, also San Gimignano which is a much smaller town in the middle of the countryside. There are some great wineries and vineyards near there if that is your thing. Also an amazing sandwich shop and a couple of gelato places on the Piazza della Cisterna.
Edited by TO73074E on Friday 26th April 14:06
Lake Trasimeno and San Gimignano as suggested above.
Spello and Spolleto - check when the flower festival is on.
Assisi - even if you have ZERO religious leanings, it's still an amazing place.
Arezzo is worth a look.
You should also dive into Chiantishire. I really like Radda but there's not much there.
I'm not sure what the seaside places are like that are on your list, but my experience of Italian seaside resorts is fairly negative.
Spello and Spolleto - check when the flower festival is on.
Assisi - even if you have ZERO religious leanings, it's still an amazing place.
Arezzo is worth a look.
You should also dive into Chiantishire. I really like Radda but there's not much there.
I'm not sure what the seaside places are like that are on your list, but my experience of Italian seaside resorts is fairly negative.
Agree with above re. Pisa. Area around the leaning tower is lovely, but not much else to see.
My wife and I go to Tuscany most years, and for me, the 'real' Tuscany is the inland area, especially the hilltop towns. We've visited a few places on the coast and they've been less spectacular unless you get into the likes of Cinque Terre or the Amalfi Coast which are a bit out of the way.
Top places to visit would be Siena, Florence and Lucca (I know Lucca isn't a hilltop town, but it's a lovely place to visit and a perfect size to walk around). Lucca is a regular last stop for us as it's only 30 mins from Pisa airport.
San Gimigniano is a must see, it's amazing.
For smaller towns, Monetpulciano is lovely, as is Pienza (for Pecorino) and Volterra (for Alabaster). If you go into Chianti country (for wine!), Greve in Chianti is the biggest town with plenty of places to eat and drink, but as above Radda in Chianti is also lovely although a lot smaller. These would all make good stops for lunch and a wander.
A slightly out of the way suggestion would be to have dinner on the terrace at Osteria la Porte in Montecchiello. The views / sunset are incredible.
Enjoy, Tuscany is amazing!
My wife and I go to Tuscany most years, and for me, the 'real' Tuscany is the inland area, especially the hilltop towns. We've visited a few places on the coast and they've been less spectacular unless you get into the likes of Cinque Terre or the Amalfi Coast which are a bit out of the way.
Top places to visit would be Siena, Florence and Lucca (I know Lucca isn't a hilltop town, but it's a lovely place to visit and a perfect size to walk around). Lucca is a regular last stop for us as it's only 30 mins from Pisa airport.
San Gimigniano is a must see, it's amazing.
For smaller towns, Monetpulciano is lovely, as is Pienza (for Pecorino) and Volterra (for Alabaster). If you go into Chianti country (for wine!), Greve in Chianti is the biggest town with plenty of places to eat and drink, but as above Radda in Chianti is also lovely although a lot smaller. These would all make good stops for lunch and a wander.
A slightly out of the way suggestion would be to have dinner on the terrace at Osteria la Porte in Montecchiello. The views / sunset are incredible.
Enjoy, Tuscany is amazing!
We did the same last year as we love Tuscany so decided to do 2 weeks and drive about a bit more.
We stayed in Civita di Bagnoregio for a night on the way down to Rome. Highly recommend you add a night there for the views and experience of staying in such a place. Best food we've ever had in the restaurant that's built around the trees to left of the entrance too, wild boar truffled pasta
We always stop in Lucca for something to eat after leaving Pisa airport as it's only 25 mins away so id do that 1st or last depending on your flight times then all the usual recommendations are correct, Sienna, San Gimignano, Volterra and our favourite Florence.
Bologna is around an hour north of Florence so if you get a spare day or its pissing down, it's worth the trip up to see the city and do the Lambo and Ferrari tours.
Very pretty landscape around Mugello/ Borgo San Lorrenzo if you stay on the hills either side of the valley and its around 40 mins to Florence from there.
Plenty of airbnb recommendations if you need any
We stayed in Civita di Bagnoregio for a night on the way down to Rome. Highly recommend you add a night there for the views and experience of staying in such a place. Best food we've ever had in the restaurant that's built around the trees to left of the entrance too, wild boar truffled pasta
We always stop in Lucca for something to eat after leaving Pisa airport as it's only 25 mins away so id do that 1st or last depending on your flight times then all the usual recommendations are correct, Sienna, San Gimignano, Volterra and our favourite Florence.
Bologna is around an hour north of Florence so if you get a spare day or its pissing down, it's worth the trip up to see the city and do the Lambo and Ferrari tours.
Very pretty landscape around Mugello/ Borgo San Lorrenzo if you stay on the hills either side of the valley and its around 40 mins to Florence from there.
Plenty of airbnb recommendations if you need any
I'm fortunate enough to live in Tuscany now, all the recommendations are good. Whilst there's nothing wrong with Pisa, as all have said, there's little beyond the tower.
We live north of Lucca, which is worth a wander around, its a lovely little city. Not mentioned is Pietrasanta which is a pleasant town, from there you can take a fantastic drive up from Massa with it's Marble quarries over the apuan mountain range, and come down the other side to our neck of the woods. there are loads of small mountain villages, but once you've seen one... especially where we are.
Tuscany is a massive region, and incredibly diverse. lunch in Certaldo Alto would be worth it, it's beautiful there, as is Volterra.
San Gimignano is also quite special, but very touristy in high season.
Edited to add: Beaches are pretty meh, mostly bagno's, and only worth it if you want a day on a sun lounger.
Also, and completely in the other direction to your plan, but Bologna is a super city, as mentioned, with Modena around the corner, and Verona further north again, you can't really go wrong!
We live north of Lucca, which is worth a wander around, its a lovely little city. Not mentioned is Pietrasanta which is a pleasant town, from there you can take a fantastic drive up from Massa with it's Marble quarries over the apuan mountain range, and come down the other side to our neck of the woods. there are loads of small mountain villages, but once you've seen one... especially where we are.
Tuscany is a massive region, and incredibly diverse. lunch in Certaldo Alto would be worth it, it's beautiful there, as is Volterra.
San Gimignano is also quite special, but very touristy in high season.
Edited to add: Beaches are pretty meh, mostly bagno's, and only worth it if you want a day on a sun lounger.
Also, and completely in the other direction to your plan, but Bologna is a super city, as mentioned, with Modena around the corner, and Verona further north again, you can't really go wrong!
Edited by craigthecoupe on Saturday 27th April 07:17
Wow, this place, on occasion can reall deliver in spades. Thank you for all the replies!
I've arranged some fab trips using this forum over the years,including road trips down the West cost of America, The deep south of America, Hook of Holland, Germany, Austria down to Venice and back via the lakes, Switzerland and France, and probably my most favourite, the NC500.
The one thing I havenmt mastered after about 20 years on this forum is multi quote, so please excuse my individual quotes to the responses!
I've arranged some fab trips using this forum over the years,including road trips down the West cost of America, The deep south of America, Hook of Holland, Germany, Austria down to Venice and back via the lakes, Switzerland and France, and probably my most favourite, the NC500.
The one thing I havenmt mastered after about 20 years on this forum is multi quote, so please excuse my individual quotes to the responses!
TO73074E said:
I wouldn't stay in Pisa as it can be done as a day trip from any of the other nearby cities. Aside from the leaning tower, there's not too much to do. Siena and Florence are really nice, also San Gimignano which is a much smaller town in the middle of the countryside. There are some great wineries and vineyards near there if that is your thing. Also an amazing sandwich shop and a couple of gelato places on the Piazza della Cisterna.
I just plan to fly into (and out of) Pisa and pick up a hire car, so will literally just see the tower and head off.Edited by TO73074E on Friday 26th April 14:06
I have beeen to Tuscany previously with my ex wife and her family, and we stayed in a villa outside Lucca, which was a great location, but 10 years later, I'm heading back with my new partner, and looking to enjoy it even more.
omniflow said:
Lake Trasimeno and San Gimignano as suggested above.
Spello and Spolleto - check when the flower festival is on.
Assisi - even if you have ZERO religious leanings, it's still an amazing place.
Arezzo is worth a look.
You should also dive into Chiantishire. I really like Radda but there's not much there.
I'm not sure what the seaside places are like that are on your list, but my experience of Italian seaside resorts is fairly negative.
Thank you, they've all gone on my list, and I'm now taking off the beach/seaside part of the trip. I haven't muich interest in beaches (i've lived in North Norfolk for over 50 years, so I'm beached out!) and was only adding them as stop points for my partner, but she isn't bothered either, after further discussion,Spello and Spolleto - check when the flower festival is on.
Assisi - even if you have ZERO religious leanings, it's still an amazing place.
Arezzo is worth a look.
You should also dive into Chiantishire. I really like Radda but there's not much there.
I'm not sure what the seaside places are like that are on your list, but my experience of Italian seaside resorts is fairly negative.
Gin and Ultrasonic said:
Agree with above re. Pisa. Area around the leaning tower is lovely, but not much else to see.
My wife and I go to Tuscany most years, and for me, the 'real' Tuscany is the inland area, especially the hilltop towns. We've visited a few places on the coast and they've been less spectacular unless you get into the likes of Cinque Terre or the Amalfi Coast which are a bit out of the way.
Top places to visit would be Siena, Florence and Lucca (I know Lucca isn't a hilltop town, but it's a lovely place to visit and a perfect size to walk around). Lucca is a regular last stop for us as it's only 30 mins from Pisa airport.
San Gimigniano is a must see, it's amazing.
For smaller towns, Monetpulciano is lovely, as is Pienza (for Pecorino) and Volterra (for Alabaster). If you go into Chianti country (for wine!), Greve in Chianti is the biggest town with plenty of places to eat and drink, but as above Radda in Chianti is also lovely although a lot smaller. These would all make good stops for lunch and a wander.
A slightly out of the way suggestion would be to have dinner on the terrace at Osteria la Porte in Montecchiello. The views / sunset are incredible.
Enjoy, Tuscany is amazing!
Again, awesome contributions, thank you. I'll be weaving a few of these inMy wife and I go to Tuscany most years, and for me, the 'real' Tuscany is the inland area, especially the hilltop towns. We've visited a few places on the coast and they've been less spectacular unless you get into the likes of Cinque Terre or the Amalfi Coast which are a bit out of the way.
Top places to visit would be Siena, Florence and Lucca (I know Lucca isn't a hilltop town, but it's a lovely place to visit and a perfect size to walk around). Lucca is a regular last stop for us as it's only 30 mins from Pisa airport.
San Gimigniano is a must see, it's amazing.
For smaller towns, Monetpulciano is lovely, as is Pienza (for Pecorino) and Volterra (for Alabaster). If you go into Chianti country (for wine!), Greve in Chianti is the biggest town with plenty of places to eat and drink, but as above Radda in Chianti is also lovely although a lot smaller. These would all make good stops for lunch and a wander.
A slightly out of the way suggestion would be to have dinner on the terrace at Osteria la Porte in Montecchiello. The views / sunset are incredible.
Enjoy, Tuscany is amazing!
TC7 said:
We did the same last year as we love Tuscany so decided to do 2 weeks and drive about a bit more.
We stayed in Civita di Bagnoregio for a night on the way down to Rome. Highly recommend you add a night there for the views and experience of staying in such a place. Best food we've ever had in the restaurant that's built around the trees to left of the entrance too, wild boar truffled pasta
We always stop in Lucca for something to eat after leaving Pisa airport as it's only 25 mins away so id do that 1st or last depending on your flight times then all the usual recommendations are correct, Sienna, San Gimignano, Volterra and our favourite Florence.
Bologna is around an hour north of Florence so if you get a spare day or its pissing down, it's worth the trip up to see the city and do the Lambo and Ferrari tours.
Very pretty landscape around Mugello/ Borgo San Lorrenzo if you stay on the hills either side of the valley and its around 40 mins to Florence from there.
Plenty of airbnb recommendations if you need any
Aeseome, thank you for all the ideas!. We stayed in Civita di Bagnoregio for a night on the way down to Rome. Highly recommend you add a night there for the views and experience of staying in such a place. Best food we've ever had in the restaurant that's built around the trees to left of the entrance too, wild boar truffled pasta
We always stop in Lucca for something to eat after leaving Pisa airport as it's only 25 mins away so id do that 1st or last depending on your flight times then all the usual recommendations are correct, Sienna, San Gimignano, Volterra and our favourite Florence.
Bologna is around an hour north of Florence so if you get a spare day or its pissing down, it's worth the trip up to see the city and do the Lambo and Ferrari tours.
Very pretty landscape around Mugello/ Borgo San Lorrenzo if you stay on the hills either side of the valley and its around 40 mins to Florence from there.
Plenty of airbnb recommendations if you need any
I actually did the Ferrari museum when I was there 10 years ago, and also did the Pagani tour, which was fab.
Airbnb recommendations....yes yes please!
craigthecoupe said:
I'm fortunate enough to live in Tuscany now, all the recommendations are good. Whilst there's nothing wrong with Pisa, as all have said, there's little beyond the tower.
We live north of Lucca, which is worth a wander around, its a lovely little city. Not mentioned is Pietrasanta which is a pleasant town, from there you can take a fantastic drive up from Massa with it's Marble quarries over the apuan mountain range, and come down the other side to our neck of the woods. there are loads of small mountain villages, but once you've seen one... especially where we are.
Tuscany is a massive region, and incredibly diverse. lunch in Certaldo Alto would be worth it, it's beautiful there, as is Volterra.
San Gimignano is also quite special, but very touristy in high season.
Edited to add: Beaches are pretty meh, mostly bagno's, and only worth it if you want a day on a sun lounger.
Also, and completely in the other direction to your plan, but Bologna is a super city, as mentioned, with Modena around the corner, and Verona further north again, you can't really go wrong!
Thank you for your input and suggestions, i'm going to have fun working out where to go and where not to, but it's great to have so many ideas to deal with.
We live north of Lucca, which is worth a wander around, its a lovely little city. Not mentioned is Pietrasanta which is a pleasant town, from there you can take a fantastic drive up from Massa with it's Marble quarries over the apuan mountain range, and come down the other side to our neck of the woods. there are loads of small mountain villages, but once you've seen one... especially where we are.
Tuscany is a massive region, and incredibly diverse. lunch in Certaldo Alto would be worth it, it's beautiful there, as is Volterra.
San Gimignano is also quite special, but very touristy in high season.
Edited to add: Beaches are pretty meh, mostly bagno's, and only worth it if you want a day on a sun lounger.
Also, and completely in the other direction to your plan, but Bologna is a super city, as mentioned, with Modena around the corner, and Verona further north again, you can't really go wrong!
Thank you for your input and suggestions, i'm going to have fun working out where to go and where not to, but it's great to have so many ideas to deal with.
Edited by craigthecoupe on Saturday 27th April 07:17
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