The concept of a Tuscany highway journey is existentially flawed, at the very least when you’re a wine drinker. I imply, how merciless is it to have a possibility to style a few of the world’s best wines alongside an obligation to get behind the wheel?
The excellent news is that I’ve crafted this publish with security—no drunk driving right here, ma!—in thoughts. The higher information? Even when you don’t drink alcohol, this highway journey itinerary for Tuscany has one thing for everybody, not not like my broader information to spending 3 weeks in Italy.
Proceed studying to be taught why Italy’s fertile heartlands have develop into so world-famous, and how one can forge your individual path alongside Tuscany’s extraordinarily well-trodden roads.
The Logistics of Driving By Tuscany
I used to be half-joking within the introduction—it’s comparatively simple, in reality, to execute a Tuscany highway journey with out breaking the regulation. All wineries have spittoons, which let you imbibe with out intoxication. The catch right here, after all, is that you must purchase wine and take it again to your resort. Personally, I don’t like ingesting at “residence,” so it is a tough promote for me. (I’ll go away your group to combat amongst yourselves about who would be the designated driver!)
Crucial factor to resolve, earlier than you journey, is the place to select your automotive up. Airports in Florence and Pisa (which has some abroad flights) are likely to have the most effective choice of vehicles at the most effective costs. By way of the way to set up your journey, I’d advocate driving solely within the rural components of Tuscany, and possibly in Siena. Florence and Pisa are finest explored on foot, and finest traveled between by way of prepare.
Locations to Go to in Tuscany
San Gimignano
An important reference level in your Tuscany highway journey is the village of San Gimignano. A preferred day-trip vacation spot from Florence as a consequence of its simple bus connections, San Gimignano succeeds on two fronts. First, its walkable, medieval previous city is simply dripping with allure. Second, a number of wineries (together with Palagetto, a private favourite of mine) are inside strolling distance of it.
Siena
When you have simply in the future to journey the roads of Tuscany, Siena makes an awesome mid-point—which is to say, on an out-and-back journey from Florence and thru San Gimignano after which again (from Siena) once more. Along with the numerous wineries that line the roads on the best way to and from Siena, town is charming and picturesque, albeit not sufficient that I often advocate staying the evening.
Montepulciano
When you plan to increase your Tuscany highway journey past Siena, in the meantime, Montepulciano makes for a superb subsequent step. Though barely older and of a unique architectural persuasion than San Gimignano, it boasts a few of the identical conveniences—specifically, easy accessibility from the previous city middle to many wineries, and limitless views of gorgeous wine nation as nicely.
Pisa
Is Pisa greater than its most well-known edifice? That’s tough to say. On one hand, you’ll have loads of time to resolve—the Leaning Tower is about 20 minutes by foot north of Pisa Centrale station. Alternatively, whereas Pisa is a superbly charming metropolis, it has a lot competitors in Italy (and certainly, in Tuscany itself, as you’ll have seen over the previous few paragraphs) that the tower would be the point of interest of any time you spend right here.
Florence
Even when you don’t find yourself hitting Tuscany’s dustier roads, you’re positive to spend just a few days in Florence. Considered one of Italy’s major cradles of tradition and historical past, Firenze (because it’s identified in Italian) is residence to lots of the nation’s most spectacular museums, plazas, structure and parks, all set amid the rolling hills that rise on both financial institution of the Arno River.
Different FAQ About Your Journey to Tuscany
What’s there to do in Tuscany in 3 days?
When you have simply three days in Tuscany, I’d advocate basing your self in Florence. Spend one full day exploring that metropolis, with an optionally available day journey to Pisa and its leaning tower someday on day two. On day three journey into the Tuscan wine nation, both by way of public transportation to San Gimignano, or by renting a automotive and exploring extra freely.
What’s there to do in Tuscany in 7 days?
Having per week in Tuscany opens up many extra choices. You possibly can divide 3-4 days between Florence and Pisa, then choose up a automotive at considered one of their two airports. Hub your self at the most effective Tuscan villa you will discover, then spend days driving between wineries, cities and cities, together with Montepulciano and Siena.
How can I spend 4 days in Tuscany?
When you have 4 days in Tuscany, general, you’ll be able to evenly divide it between Florence and the wine nation: Two days, on foot, in Florence; and two days driving between villages and vineyards. When you have 4 days simply within the rural a part of Tuscany, the world is your oyster: You possibly can both base your self at a single villa and discover outward from there, or keep at two or extra completely different Tuscan abodes and savor the range.
The Backside Line
Many vacationers to Italy take a Tuscany highway journey, however that doesn’t imply yours has to comply with the identical sample. Whether or not within the rural reaches of the Tuscan wine nation, in smaller cities and cities like San Gimignano and Siena, or within the giant cities of Florence and Pisa, Tuscany presents a sense you merely can’t discover elsewhere in Italy. Lease a automotive for the completely of your time right here, or simply for a day or two as you sleep in considered one of Tuscany’s well-known villas.
Robert Schrader is a journey author and photographer who’s been roaming the world independently since 2005, writing for publications resembling “CNNGo” and “Shanghaiist” alongside the best way. His weblog, Depart Your Every day Hell, supplies a mixture of journey recommendation, vacation spot guides and private essays overlaying the extra esoteric points of life as a traveler.
