Must see stops for 10 day Tuscany trip in September?

Question

My husband and I are celebrating our anniversary in Tuscany in mid-late September. Flying in/out of Rome. Would like to stop in Florence, Siena, Montepulciano (at the very least). Can you tell me:

1. Other towns we should see?

2. Towns best for day trips vs those we should stay the night?

Oh - we're big wine folks, too. Please - only answer based on personal experience.

Thanks for your help!

Answer 1

if you like the country and good wine you have to take a trip around the Chianti region (between Florence and Siena. beautiful, but very touristic and expensive) The Maremma (southern Tuscany)is awesome too. Tuscany is full of nice villages (Pienza, Bagni Avignone, Volterra...) you can drive around and find those you like most. About the towns: Pisa, Lucca, Grosseto and Arezzo are very nice too and full af art and architecture...

September is a great time if the year for a trip. Have a good time!

Answer 2

We liked Bologna a lot too.

Answer 3

I'm living in Tuscany in a small village just in the between of Pise and Florence. I guess you did the best choice coming in my region for yr wedding anniversary in mid-late September.

In my previous different answers I've always suggested this period to come (as well as end May-early June). It's the less crowded time also in the larger cities as Florence and Siena.

I wish you're driving a car since a few towns (the smallest) are not served by the railway. Also 10 days it's a good staying that should allow you to explore this awesome region.

Aside the towns you've already planned to visit I would recommend others worthy with a daily trip. You'll be spoiled for choosing !!

San Gimignano (as an absolute must)http://www.sangimignano.com/sghomei.htm

Monteriggioni

http://www.monteriggionicastle.com/index...

Colle Val d'Elsa

http://www.terresiena.it/page.asp?cat=ho...

Certaldo

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/certaldo...

Montalcino

http://www.nautilus-mp.com/tuscany/prese...

Pienza

http://www.nautilus-mp.com/tuscany/prese...

Pisa

http://www.pisaonline.it/e-default.htm

Volterra

http://www.comune.volterra.pi.it/english...

Lucca

http://www.turismo.provincia.lucca.it/en...

For wine tasting (besides  above said Montalcino - production site of the famous Brunello) it's for you  "mandatory" all the area of Chianti Classico

with the villages of Radda in Chianti , Gaiole ,Castellina, Greve , etc.

http://www.bardotti.com/

If you exclude Florence (you'll need 2/3 days to visit this town)all the above cities can be visited in less than 1 day each.  Therefore it's up to you (and depending when you are in the late afternoon) to chose where to sleep.

While you are here if you want enjoy our real cooking you must avoid the big tourist restaurants and look for the 'out of roots' small places (our name is 'trattoria'). Don't follow the menu there but just seat and ask the waiter (that in mostly of cases is also the owner) to suggest you the best food of their restaurant. All of them they will feel honoured by your confidence and I'm sure you'll taste something that you'll never forget. Also for the wine drink the one offered by the restaurant (we call it 'vino della casa'); it's not that expensive and is always a good wine, red or white depending on yr taste.

In case I've forgot something here are a few sites about Tuscany with tips,info,etc.

http://www.tourism-in-tuscany.com/

http://www.terraditoscana.com/default.as...

http://www.toscanet.com/first-time-in-tu...

http://www.emmeti.it/Welcome/Toscana/ind...

At the end I want wish you a nice staying in my region.