Tuscany Tour
Morning peeps, we are off to Tuscany in July and would love to hear of your experiences, sites, hints and tips. Would like to stay in the siena area which seems pretty central to everything we want to see. We are 2 adults and Titch the motorhome.
Comments
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If you want to stay near Sienna then you could think about this campsite
We stayed there many years ago, its situated over looking Sienna and I assume there is still a bus service from near the campsite into the City? There wa also a handy supermarket down the hill from the campsite.
David
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We went to Tuscany (and Umbria) five or six times - a different route to get there every time - to call and see different places on the way. I think that’s your first decision.
But after that I don’t know whether you are willing to move your motorhome around from place to place in Tuscany or whether you really want to try to see “everything” from a single base near Siena. Frankly I don’ t see how that can be done - unless of course you hire a car .
Hints and tips? It will be very hot in July, so be prepared for that. And try and learn a bit of Italian before you go - for shopping, menu reading, and simple politeness.
I hope it all goes well.0 -
We visited the area around Siena/Florence/Pisa in August 2003. It was our first time abroad with a caravan and we broke our journey for a weeks stay around Bourg-en-Bresse in the south of France.
The weather was hell on earth, 45c+ and people died from the heat. We had forest fires approaching the campsite and ash falling most days. After a week we could stand no more and headed to the Italian Lakes.
On a positive note, the scenery was stunning, the town of Lucca was lovely, Florence and Sienna were were splendid, Pisa memorable and Vinci, the birthplace of Leonardo worth a visit.
Do not take an awning, but you do need a canopy and a parasol. A big must is a second fridge, a table top ST rated model, NOT a coolbox, and a couple of decent fans.
As is what I believe fairly common in Italy, pitch sizes will be small and electric supply will be a low amperage. I would also advise a longer than your standard 25m cable. Shops will shut mid-day for several hours and those refreshing 25cl bottles of beer you may be used to picking up at French supermarkets will be nowhere to be found.
I would love to return, but not in the height of summer.
Colin
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Italian railways are excellent and cheap, there's a station in Siena and from memory in late 2024 Siena to Florence will be under £10 one way but it's quicker by coach and about the same price.
Last year's temperature in July had a high 35C in Florence which is always hotter than anywhere else due to its location, Pisa on the coast had 32C.
I can only speak for Florence (I grew up there and still have a house and family) but everything can be easily walked and away from the main tourist areas of the Duomo and Palazzo Vecchio it is far more peaceful, try my favourite Piazzas, Piazza della Santissima Annunziata and San Marco, the churches are free and in my view fantastic to wander round, both a few minutes walk from the Duomo. Likewise the area around the Piazza and Basilica di Santa Croce, and around and behind there is where all the locals eat with better quality and cheaper prices than in the centre. Having said that there's nothing like having your dinner in front of the Duomo. Get there early for the hotspots and you can book multiple tickets for various tourists places, and I would climb the bell tower rather than the Duomo.
Go over the river to Oltrarno to escape the crowds and finds some gems without many tourists and of course Santo Spirito.
Pisa is just worth half a day, there's the learning tower and that's it. Last tip public toilets are few and far between and quailty varies, you can download a map I believe, expect to pay in small coins.
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If you are thinking of staying in Pisa there is a campsite within easy walking distance of the Tower
https://www.campingtorrependente.it/David
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