Tuscany, driving and eating
Discussion
Hi all. We booked our first holiday with our son today. We went for a secluded villa in Tuscany with a pool and a hire car. The villa is in the Lucca area. I'm looking forward to relaxing by the pool but also going for drives to nice towns for lunches and breakfasts.
Has anyone any experience of driving in Tuscany. Any particularly nice roads to head for? Knowledge of good restaurants hidden Gems would be fantastic.
My wife won the holiday so we're thinking we may splash out on a nice hire car. The car was included in the holiday but that's just a fiat panda which is great, but would be nice to also hire something flash for maybe just one day. Does anyone have any experience doing this. I've found a few places already on line that do amazing sportscars yet I'd need something more practicle, a nice alfa or a convertible would be fitting.
Florence and Sienna should be top of the list. Cannot remember the name of it but we went a fantastic place to eat in Florence near the train station - full of locals - no tourists. Had the best Spagetti Ragu i've ever had. Don't forget to try Cannoli - italian pastry with sweet ricotta filling. THey are to die for!!
As above on the Florence and Siena front. You are in reach of Volterra and area which is volcanic so quite different scenery from other parts. San Gimignano is lovely though very touristy these days, and Colle di Val D'Elsa is nice too, though avoid Poggibonsi - just a big industrial town.
I don't know the Lucca area particularly well as I have always stayed down nearer the south of Tuscany in the Montepulciano area, but looking at the map if it were me I'd definitely head north and explore some of the region north of where you are - national parks, mountains and wiggly roads - looks perfect!
Have a great time
I don't know the Lucca area particularly well as I have always stayed down nearer the south of Tuscany in the Montepulciano area, but looking at the map if it were me I'd definitely head north and explore some of the region north of where you are - national parks, mountains and wiggly roads - looks perfect!
Have a great time
On the food front, when at a cafe for breakfast ask for a cornetto. It's a small sweet pastry a bit like a croissant - traditional and delicious. Coffee in Italy is sublime but they will look at you like an Englishman if you ask for a cappuccino after the morning is finished 
Wild boar is also traditional in Tuscany and fantastic - quite different to pork and don't worry if it comes slightly pink - it's how it's served and absolutely fine.
Also their locally made traditional ice cream is to die for - don't miss out!
Wild boar is also traditional in Tuscany and fantastic - quite different to pork and don't worry if it comes slightly pink - it's how it's served and absolutely fine.
Also their locally made traditional ice cream is to die for - don't miss out!
A couple of lovely restaurants for you...
For views to die for, great service and lovely food (not to mention the arse twitching roads getting there):
http://www.ristorodilamole.it/en/restaurant-lamole...
And for some nice posh nosh in a gorgeous setting (outside courtyard on top of a mountain) try Osteria del Vicario in Certaldo (can't find the website right now)
Couple of nice places in Castellini in Chianti too...
For views to die for, great service and lovely food (not to mention the arse twitching roads getting there):
http://www.ristorodilamole.it/en/restaurant-lamole...
And for some nice posh nosh in a gorgeous setting (outside courtyard on top of a mountain) try Osteria del Vicario in Certaldo (can't find the website right now)
Couple of nice places in Castellini in Chianti too...
I know Firenze and Pisa pretty well as Im there most months on business. Can recommend you a cpl of restaurants in Pisa easily enough.
Top top tip... DO NOT drive in Firenze.
Where are you flying in to? IF its Firenze and IF you are picking up your hire car from there then PM me. Just trust me on this one because you may well commit suicide out of frustration without inside knowledge.
If you are flying into Pisa then you will be fine. Relatively speaking.
Lucca is a nice town, I have a supplier there I go to. Ill ask around and get some local knowledge for you.
Top top tip... DO NOT drive in Firenze.
Where are you flying in to? IF its Firenze and IF you are picking up your hire car from there then PM me. Just trust me on this one because you may well commit suicide out of frustration without inside knowledge.
If you are flying into Pisa then you will be fine. Relatively speaking.
Lucca is a nice town, I have a supplier there I go to. Ill ask around and get some local knowledge for you.
L
I'm Flying into Pisa. I've driven out of Naples a few years previous which is supposed to be hard work, it was.
Some local knowledge would be fab thanks.
DJRC said:
I know Firenze and Pisa pretty well as Im there most months on business. Can recommend you a cpl of restaurants in Pisa easily enough.
Top top tip... DO NOT drive in Firenze.
Where are you flying in to? IF its Firenze and IF you are picking up your hire car from there then PM me. Just trust me on this one because you may well commit suicide out of frustration without inside knowledge.
If you are flying into Pisa then you will be fine. Relatively speaking.
Lucca is a nice town, I have a supplier there I go to. Ill ask around and get some local knowledge for you.
ThanksTop top tip... DO NOT drive in Firenze.
Where are you flying in to? IF its Firenze and IF you are picking up your hire car from there then PM me. Just trust me on this one because you may well commit suicide out of frustration without inside knowledge.
If you are flying into Pisa then you will be fine. Relatively speaking.
Lucca is a nice town, I have a supplier there I go to. Ill ask around and get some local knowledge for you.
I'm Flying into Pisa. I've driven out of Naples a few years previous which is supposed to be hard work, it was.
Some local knowledge would be fab thanks.
Pisa is fine, I know the exact jnt very well as I stay in a hotel 1km from it!
You head out of the airport and at the first roundabout pick up the main dual carriageway to Lucca and Firenze. Pisa is quite a small airport. Pisa itself is lovely to go into for an evening, know a great little place to eat there next to the Arna.
You head out of the airport and at the first roundabout pick up the main dual carriageway to Lucca and Firenze. Pisa is quite a small airport. Pisa itself is lovely to go into for an evening, know a great little place to eat there next to the Arna.
DJRC said:
I know Firenze and Pisa pretty well as Im there most months on business. Can recommend you a cpl of restaurants in Pisa easily enough.
Top top tip... DO NOT drive in Firenze.
Where are you flying in to? IF its Firenze and IF you are picking up your hire car from there then PM me. Just trust me on this one because you may well commit suicide out of frustration without inside knowledge.
If you are flying into Pisa then you will be fine. Relatively speaking.
Lucca is a nice town, I have a supplier there I go to. Ill ask around and get some local knowledge for you.
Agree about Firenze. You will also end up with at least one fine for driving down a restricted street.. fTop top tip... DO NOT drive in Firenze.
Where are you flying in to? IF its Firenze and IF you are picking up your hire car from there then PM me. Just trust me on this one because you may well commit suicide out of frustration without inside knowledge.
If you are flying into Pisa then you will be fine. Relatively speaking.
Lucca is a nice town, I have a supplier there I go to. Ill ask around and get some local knowledge for you.
kers Greve de Chianti we found very nice, was there for a wedding a few years ago, but remember the town square with the market on and lots of nice bars and restaurants around it.
I can only agree with the above.
I've been to Siena a number of times and included both Siena & Firenze on our Honeymoon tour of Northern Italy - we started in Rome and worked our way North over 3 weeks.
Tuscany is stunning, as you'll find out. Not sure if the child will be an issue but try and get a Vineyard tour in. On one trip we spent two days doing a number of places and they were amazing - Fantastic wines but also the buildings and cellars of some of these places were astounding!
Take a drive to San Gimignano - the history of the towers is interesting as the merchants and landowners tried to out do each other. That said, one of the worst meals I've ever had in a 'pay to eat' establishment was in the main square. Absolutely diabolical.
Also - general question to throw out there. Whenever we go to Italy, it doesn't matter what type of place we stay in, from country villas to 5 Star international Hotel brands, the breakfasts are always ste! Perhaps I've got used certain standards but it almost seems the Italians don't do breakfast so don't bother for tourists either. One place in Verona actually wanted to charge me an extra 5 Euros for porridge! I guess an Italian breakfast is a smoke and an expresso.
I've been to Siena a number of times and included both Siena & Firenze on our Honeymoon tour of Northern Italy - we started in Rome and worked our way North over 3 weeks.
Tuscany is stunning, as you'll find out. Not sure if the child will be an issue but try and get a Vineyard tour in. On one trip we spent two days doing a number of places and they were amazing - Fantastic wines but also the buildings and cellars of some of these places were astounding!
Take a drive to San Gimignano - the history of the towers is interesting as the merchants and landowners tried to out do each other. That said, one of the worst meals I've ever had in a 'pay to eat' establishment was in the main square. Absolutely diabolical.
Also - general question to throw out there. Whenever we go to Italy, it doesn't matter what type of place we stay in, from country villas to 5 Star international Hotel brands, the breakfasts are always s
te! Perhaps I've got used certain standards but it almost seems the Italians don't do breakfast so don't bother for tourists either. One place in Verona actually wanted to charge me an extra 5 Euros for porridge! I guess an Italian breakfast is a smoke and an expresso.Here's a copy/paste from a similar thread I replied to -
If you are hiring a car, then please check out this link and STAY OUT OF THE ZTL ZONES -
http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/driving/traffic_came...
Most 'historic' city centers in that area of Italy will have them and they are easy to miss and you will be fined if you don't follow the signs (you are fined each time you pass into the zone - and it's a very expensive fine). There are hundreds of forum posts from people who have received fines up to a year later for their own cars and hire cars and the car hire company will debit your card directly. Many, many locals even fall foul of the zones, too. So be warned! Much better to park way outside the city centers and get public transport in - esp Florence.
There are also signs that are very similar to the ZTL zone signs that relate to emissions - I had a couple of mild panics when I passed into the zones until I realised they were different - easy to mistake when you're driving. see here - http://allegati.comune.siena.it:8080/ImmaginiNews/...
On a lighter note, try to get to Sienna (A MUST SEE) Arezzo and Orvieto (getting a bit far south, I know - but they are stunning cities.)
Also, http://www.monteriggioni.info/ and an amazing hilltop town - http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/destinations/italy/... )
Have a great holiday - it's a beautiful country.
If you are hiring a car, then please check out this link and STAY OUT OF THE ZTL ZONES -
http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/driving/traffic_came...
Most 'historic' city centers in that area of Italy will have them and they are easy to miss and you will be fined if you don't follow the signs (you are fined each time you pass into the zone - and it's a very expensive fine). There are hundreds of forum posts from people who have received fines up to a year later for their own cars and hire cars and the car hire company will debit your card directly. Many, many locals even fall foul of the zones, too. So be warned! Much better to park way outside the city centers and get public transport in - esp Florence.
There are also signs that are very similar to the ZTL zone signs that relate to emissions - I had a couple of mild panics when I passed into the zones until I realised they were different - easy to mistake when you're driving. see here - http://allegati.comune.siena.it:8080/ImmaginiNews/...
On a lighter note, try to get to Sienna (A MUST SEE) Arezzo and Orvieto (getting a bit far south, I know - but they are stunning cities.)
Also, http://www.monteriggioni.info/ and an amazing hilltop town - http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/destinations/italy/... )
Have a great holiday - it's a beautiful country.
rufusgti said:
Hi all. We booked our first holiday with our son today. We went for a secluded villa in Tuscany with a pool and a hire car. The villa is in the Lucca area. I'm looking forward to relaxing by the pool but also going for drives to nice towns for lunches and breakfasts.
Has anyone any experience of driving in Tuscany. Any particularly nice roads to head for? Knowledge of good restaurants hidden Gems would be fantastic.
My wife won the holiday so we're thinking we may splash out on a nice hire car. The car was included in the holiday but that's just a fiat panda which is great, but would be nice to also hire something flash for maybe just one day. Does anyone have any experience doing this. I've found a few places already on line that do amazing sportscars yet I'd need something more practicle, a nice alfa or a convertible would be fitting.
Sienna is a must and again parked just outside the old town. Florance is for another trip, but then I'll fly in.
I generally agree with the comments about Pisa.
My wife and I like to spend 4-5 days each year in a different town in Italy, and we went to Pisa three years ago. Essentially, it's the leaning tower and the associated buildings, all of which are well worth visiting, and that's it. There are parts of Pisa that are very nice and there's some good restaurants away fom the main area, but in reality 1 or 1/1/2 days is all you need.
R.
My wife and I like to spend 4-5 days each year in a different town in Italy, and we went to Pisa three years ago. Essentially, it's the leaning tower and the associated buildings, all of which are well worth visiting, and that's it. There are parts of Pisa that are very nice and there's some good restaurants away fom the main area, but in reality 1 or 1/1/2 days is all you need.
R.
We stayed in Bagni Di Lucca, a few miles north of Lucca, a few months ago and had a great time.
If you're after a hidden gem of a restuarant and you're in this area, head to a tiny place called Vico Pancellorum, there is a restaurant there called 'Buca Di Baldabo' up a steep windy narrow road that was superb. It looks crap from outside but I had one of the most enjoyable meals I've ever had - true rustic Tuscan cooking, no written menus, nobody speaks much English but you get three generous courses of seasonal local food - think handmade pasta, rabbit, wild boar dishes plus wine for 25 Euros each. Bargain. I can't express how worth it the drive up there is.
If you want good roads then keep heading north up the SS12 towards the ski resort of Abertone, lots of left-right-left-right combos and undulations, recently surfaced too.
Most of the roads around Chianti are good, as much to look at as to drive. I travel to Italy a lot and find the surfaces are often very good apart from in the far South. The key I found to finding a good road is to plan a journey, then look for the 'yellow' roads on the maps - they are the equivalent of our B-roads and are usually the best.
As for Pisa, it's not that bad, I quite enjoyed a couple of days there. If you've been in the bustle of Florence for a while Pisa makes a nice laid-back change. Food not so good there though I found.
If you're after a hidden gem of a restuarant and you're in this area, head to a tiny place called Vico Pancellorum, there is a restaurant there called 'Buca Di Baldabo' up a steep windy narrow road that was superb. It looks crap from outside but I had one of the most enjoyable meals I've ever had - true rustic Tuscan cooking, no written menus, nobody speaks much English but you get three generous courses of seasonal local food - think handmade pasta, rabbit, wild boar dishes plus wine for 25 Euros each. Bargain. I can't express how worth it the drive up there is.
If you want good roads then keep heading north up the SS12 towards the ski resort of Abertone, lots of left-right-left-right combos and undulations, recently surfaced too.
Most of the roads around Chianti are good, as much to look at as to drive. I travel to Italy a lot and find the surfaces are often very good apart from in the far South. The key I found to finding a good road is to plan a journey, then look for the 'yellow' roads on the maps - they are the equivalent of our B-roads and are usually the best.
As for Pisa, it's not that bad, I quite enjoyed a couple of days there. If you've been in the bustle of Florence for a while Pisa makes a nice laid-back change. Food not so good there though I found.
I just drove through Tuscany over new year, up throught Florance and back down the coast, the driving was good, I was surprised at the high std, last time i was in Italy the driving std was awfull. We had no problem finding place to eat or stay just pulled of the road into a village when we wanted and found some whereto eat and stay easily, and at that time of year the cost was 'shut' in the busy season you will have no problem
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