Tuscany
Having been to France twice this year, I fancy somewhere different and have always liked the idea of visiting Tuscany. I do not know anything about the area.
Does anyone who has been there fancy sharing a few thoughts of do's and don't's and where to go?
It would be nice not to have to use the van for getting around.
Comments
-
I suggest you start by buying a copy of the Rough Guide to that area.
Pisa, Lucca, Florence and Siena are the tourist hot spots, but we liked the hill villages which were more off the beaten track, though we never found out where Tuscany ends and Umbria begins. But frankly I don’t see how you would get around to places like that without driving.0 -
In the past we have used sites in Pisa, Florence and Siena which are close enough to either walk or a short bus ride away as is the case for the Siena site. I am not sure about Lucca as regretfully its the one town in the region we have not visited but wished we had. You could check out Sosta's (Italian motorhome aires) as an alternative to campsites.
David
0 -
Are you in a caravan or a motorhome? We caravan and have been to Tuscany a number of times and had lovely holidays there. We have usually headed for Lake Trasimeno but you need wheels to get about. The area is lovely with a number of hilltop villages nearby and the area which always appears on pictures of Tuscany with the Cypress trees leading to villas. Not forgetting of course the wine!! It is a long drive; with the caravan it takes us 4 - 5 days. Re areas to look at: well Pisa is just that, the leaning tower and cathedral very interesting but not much else; Luca is nearby and a lovely town to visit. Florence is fantastic but very busy, we prefer Sienna. However, the whole area is beautiful but remote and to get about you need wheels as I said (the reason we caravan and not motorhome!). On the way you may want to visit the Cinqua Terra on the N West above La Spezia. The best way to visit these villages is by train which stops at all the villages (I think). Other places; the Val d'Orcia (west of Montepulciano - of wine fame!) lovely Tuscan vistas, San Gimignano NW of Sienna (there is a camp site within walking distance of the town which would suite) and nearby Volterra Pienza, west of Montepulciano has outstanding views and has been feartured in adverts!! You need time to do the trip to Tuscany and visit other places; we take 6 weeks.
Whatever you do have a lovely trip.
0 -
The first time we took a caravan abroad was in the summer of 2003. We drove to the area around Pisa, Florence, Luca stopping for a week near Bourg en Bresse, fairly close to Lake Geneva. I would strongly advise that you do not go mid summer. 45c+ in a caravan was not nice. Campsite pitches will be small, shops close at lunchtime, driving can be insane and tolls/tunnel will eat into your budget. Otherwise, it was brilliant. We took the St Gothard pass back and on exiting the other side it was like a scene from The Sound of Music.
Colin
0 -
Greylag, I understand your problem.
One answer would be to leave the motorhome at home and fly there - £70 London / Pisa return is far cheaper than driving - and then rent a baby car to tour the smaller places. There’s accommodation on every campsite- though I admit my taste would run to village hotels.
0 -
Local Agricampeggio or Agricola are always an option, but check feedback ratings.
Stayed on the CMC site at La Valle Agricampeggio near Lucca in 2023. Recommended - great area with plenty to see and site fairly easy to get to (for Italy)
Enjoy
0
