Tuscany et al

[mfjudge]

So this October, I'm planning to go to Tuscany for a few weeks with a "friend"...

A nice older lady in my town who brings us baked goods has a cottage in a little town there and offered it gratis, so an easy decision for a vacation...

Other than haunting vineyards and quaint villages, anyone have any suggestions for must sees? I do have permission to drag my compatriot through some museums if I don't go crazy lol...much rather keep her sampling wine and pasta overall since I'm much more charming after a glass of wine...lol

We are going to do the Vatican/Rome for 3-4 days when we first arrive...

Probably going to be doing train to get from Rome to Tuscany....

[kmussack]

The American Military Cemetery outside Florance.
There's an Arms & Armor museum, a former private collection, in Florance. You'll need to look that up when you get there.
Otherwise enjoy.

ps. There's a train station near Leonardo Da Vinci Airport that'll get you into town no problem. The ride North is nice and not too long.

[ss58]

We rented a villa in Lucca, it was an amazing trip. Pretty mellow. If you get a chance take the train from La Spezia to Cinque Terre. Cinque Terre is a must see and we went back to Vernazza a couple times. Hiking trails and awesome little villages to just roam around. Its an easy day trip and well worth it. IMHO

[Maddog6]

We stayed in a Villa in Tuscany as well. We had a rental car and each day we drove to a little town (usually surrounded by walls - almost castle like) and explored. Wine and food was abundant in such places. Local table wine is the best along with some bufala (buffalo) cheese!

[Redneck Zen]

It's a long drive from Tuscany (about three hours) but Rome was awesome for us. We did the underground tour at the coliseum, which takes you from the "basement" where the gladiators and slaves prepared for the show, to the topmost level where you can look down and see everything from the nosebleed section. For me, stepping out onto the main stage was the highlight of the tour -- I actually got emotional, seeing the seats all about us from the point of view of so many warriors, entertainers, victims, slaves -- but I am literally an old softie.

[Paper Shredder]

Drive to Modena to the Ferrari factory and eat at old man Ferraris restaurant across the street. If you can swing it, go to Venice.

[tweek]

We rented a house in Chianni and just explored. No plans. Generally avoided the tourist areas. Saw amazing and beautiful sights.
Wine, bread, cheese, pasta and veggis were cheap. Meat was expensive and no where near as good as we get here. However, the little restaurants we visited were awesome and the bills were reasonable.

My suggestion: go easy on the museums. The whole place is a museum. Avoid the tourist areas. Eat what the locals eat. Enjoy.

[TFA303]

Arezzo is my favorite hill fort town in Tuscany. There's an antique market every couple of weeks that has some amazing finds. Sienna is worth a day in and of itself, and Florence is worth a week.

You seem to have the right idea for accommodations - stay in apartments / villas and you get far more of the feel of the place than you will in a hotel.

For wine, the Brunello di Montalcino from Abbadia Ardenga winery is a thing of beauty.

[Mike OTDP]

Go over to wikitravel.org and start looking up places to see. And I'd consider renting a car for use outside of Rome.

[Marco Innocenti]

Go to the Stibbert Museum in Florence. A fantastic collection of arms and armor. Tons of European stuff. The main hall has 4-6 horses in full barding of different types, all with a mounted knights. A whole floor of Asian/Japanese arms and armor. A bunch of Persian/Middle Eastern stuff. Been to it 3 times. So much to see. I remember seeing a display case that had 20-30 flanged maces just piled into it. Nice grounds as well.

The Bargello in Florence also has a great arms and armor collection.

[mfjudge]

Thanks, guys...

I like the "whole place is a museum", pretty much...I've been told 3 days at the Vatican is the minimum...forgot about the Coliseum! Yup, that's a must...

I have a buddy at the Foreign Ministry who I'm waiting to hear back from about anything really cool and non touristy that she can get us in to see...

[Theophilos]

Capuchin crypt in Rome is interesting.

[laxman2979]

Montepulciano, Montefollonico, Assisi, an outdoor cafe (can't remember the name) behind the Duomo (the Dome-Cathedral) in Florence, order the Florentine Steak!!!, also, Michelangelo's sculpture of David is just a couple of blocks away. Thought I wouldn't be impressed by it, but I was, and lastly, Siena. We rented a Villa in a small town, Contignano, which sat up on a hill, and offered a view of the valley below. I could just imagine Caesar's legions marching through.

Just a small tip, if you are going to drive, and I would highly recommend it, as it is the easiest way to get around to the smaller towns, you will find the roads to be amazing, and very fun to drive on, but in the cities, standard Latin Road Rules apply. All traffic signs and lights are mere suggestions, and in the roundabouts, you have to be aggressive; the Italian drivers can smell hesitation like sharks smell blood.

Go in the fall if you can, prices are much cheaper and the weather isn't as hot...

[mfjudge]

Dropped 100 bucks at Barnes and Noble on Italian travel books this afternoon...bathroom reading...

And now to figure out which language course lol

[laxman2979]

Dropped 100 bucks at Barnes and Noble on Italian travel books this afternoon...bathroom reading...

And now to figure out which language course lol

Plimseur

[R. Lafayette]

I enjoyed a day trip to Volterra in 2012. Nice trip up into the hills.

[Mike OTDP]

Go in the fall if you can, prices are much cheaper and the weather isn't as hot...
Definitely. August is holiday season in Europe, the prices double. And Rome is sweltering in August.

And if the OP has time, Pompeii is worth a day trip.

[Redneck Zen]

Definitely. August is holiday season in Europe, the prices double. And Rome is sweltering in August.

And if the OP has time, Pompeii is worth a day trip.

A hearty second on Pompeii! It is a city frozen in time. We had a tour guide provided by the cruise company (Celebrity) who was well-prepared. He even knew about my father-in-law's old Army Air Corps unit which was obliterated by the eruption of Vesuvius in 1945.

[mfjudge]

I found out over the weekend the cottage we are staying at is in Montepulciano...photos of the place were great and views were tremendous...

[laxman2979]

I found out over the weekend the cottage we are staying at is in Montepulciano...photos of the place were great and views were tremendous...

Dude, you are going to be blown away

[Bob F.]

A "friend", eh? Maybe won't get all that much sightseeing in.....

Actually, from the above listings, sounds like you'll need a couple years!

Bon voyage.
Bob