BajaNomad

Trolling for Tuscan info

Hook - 7-15-2015 at 12:16 PM

Well, we've talked to most of our friends and acquaintances who have been to Tuscany, searched through Lonely Planet guidebooks, scoured Viator and Tripadvisor, checked Rick Steves's website and forum, and now have a basic itinerary for Tuscany in late September/early October.

But I would be remiss in not running this by my Nomad brethren.

Here are our nightly locations:

Pisa (flight arrival dictates this)
Vernazza in Cinque Terre
Castellina en Chianti
Florence

Any recommendations on specific places to see. Wineries, restaurants, castles, enotecas, etc.?

We will have a car after leaving Vernazza, for touring the areas around Chianti. Expected day tripping; Grieve, Volterra, San Gimignano, Montalcino, Montepulciano, Siena, Lucca.

I'm a little leery of San Gimig being an overbearing tourist trap. Some reservations about Siena, too. Lucca is probably just lunch and walking the wall. Are they worth it?

Any recommendations heartily appreciated............

Taco de Baja - 7-15-2015 at 01:02 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Hook  
Well, we've talked to most of our friends and acquaintances who have been to Tuscany, searched through Lonely Planet guidebooks, scoured Viator and Tripadvisor, checked Rick Steves's website and forum, and now have a basic itinerary for Tuscany in late September/early October.

But I would be remiss in not running this by my Nomad brethren.

Here are our nightly locations:

Pisa (flight arrival dictates this)
Vernazza in Cinque Terre
Castellina en Chianti
Florence



Any recommendations heartily appreciated............


If you are in Pisa, you might as well see "the tower". I was more impressed with the reuse of building materials in the adjacent church (writing on many stone blocks that had been recycled from even older buildings) than I was with the Tower, but the Tower was still really cool.

In Florence you must go to the "Galleria dell’Accademia" to see "David" and several other of Michelangelo's works and paintings by Botticelli. Awe-inspiring to see "David" in person.

Also in Florence a trip to "Ponte Vecchio" is a must do.

If you like churches, then a trip to the "Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore" in Florence is in order.

Hook - 7-15-2015 at 02:16 PM

Are there Botticelli works in the Galleria dell' Accademia? Or, are you referring to the Galleria Uffizi with the famous Botticelli room?

I do understand that the ORIGINAL David (not the copy) is in dell' Accademia.

Martyman - 7-15-2015 at 03:46 PM

We had lunch on the square in Sienna. Very nice! San Gimignano is touristy but some great Vernaccia wineries are nearby. I love Italia. Enjoy!
(I think the Botticellis are at The Uffizi)

Taco de Baja - 7-15-2015 at 03:49 PM

Yes, there are a couple of paintings by Botticelli at the Galleria dell' Accademia.

In addition, they have a tenor viola, a violin, and cello by Antonio Stradivari, and an impressive collection of other early musical instruments..

If you go to the Galleria dell' Accademia, do buy the tickets in advance; the line can apparently be hideously long. We went as part of a tour package and bypassed the line :bounce:

You are not supposed to take pictures of David, but lots of people do. I chose to follow the rules and refrained.

ADCELAND - 7-15-2015 at 07:23 PM

Hi, I am Italian, I know quite good tuscany, if you have little time go to San Fruttuoso di Camogli and if you have a car drive around Chianti Road...it's a fantastic road with many place to heat good and drink wonderfull wine....

:) enjoy in Tuscany....

About Vernazza some years ago was very hit by flood, but now the situation it's ok....

[Edited on 7-16-2015 by ADCELAND]