Anonimo asked 9 anni ago
Dear Elena,
Hi, we are a small group pf 5 including a 10 year old. We plan to spend Christmas and new year in rome. Its our first trip to italy. We arrive on the 24 th of december and depart on the 2nd of january. Unfortunately we have to fly in and out of rome due to inconvenient flight options from any other city. We plan to spend 3 nights in tuscany starting the 26th morning and returning on 29th evening. Please advice me on the following:
1. I really want to rent a car for the trip. Considering the time of the year, is it advisable.
2. will it be better to catch a train to florence on the 26th, spend the day and then rent a car from florence and drive back to rome ( airport drop off) and see places along the way?
3. Since we wil be spanding a lot of time visiting museums and historical places in rome anyway, would it be better to save florence for another trip and use the whole time to see the countryside?( i am very tempted by this option.
4. And finally, the option of catching a train to orievito, taking a walk in the town, hiring a car from there, and driving to sienna or wherever you recommend as base and spending 3 nights in a bed and breakfast and seeing the places around. On 29 th drive back to Rome stopping on the way in civita di bagnoregio for a bit.
From reading your blog, we would really like to experience the following.
1) a leisurely drive in the countryside,
2). A good winery which would be open for visits at this time of the year,
3) A medieval castle or fortress.
4) A thermal bath.
5) tasting some great local cuisine.
Considering these, please recommend to me a place to stay, preferably a BnB which is not inside but near to or outskirts of one of the beautiful towns you describe in your incredible blog, so that we get a feel of the countryside living as well as taking walks in the town as i hear they will be lit up for the season.
Also, is it worth fitting in Pisa into the itinerary.
i am sorry for being vague, but i am still in the early planning stages.
thank you very much
Harish
elena nacci Staff answered 9 anni ago
thanks for getting in touch, I’m happy you like my blog
1. Yes, a car is recommended t tour Italy and Tuscany in particular. That time of the year can be cold but not so rainy so it’s ok.
2. Yes! catch a train to Florence and then rent a car from there
3. Considering that time of the year I would really recommend visiting the beautiful Florence, you could enjoy the countryside on your way back to Rome from Florence passing through this scenic route.
4. I would reach Siena and use it as your base or its surroundings like the villages of the Val d’Orcia, to explore the wonderful Tuscan countryside. Then I would continue to Orvieto and Civita di Bagnoregio.
The right place to be for wineries, leisurely drives, castles and thermal baths is surely the Val d’Orcia. You might consider staying at the charming Locanda del Loggiato right in Bagno Vignoni, at the typical Tuscan farmhouse Il Rigo, or at the chic Relais la Saracina in Pienza.
I would leave Pisa for your next trip,
I remain at your disposal,
Happy planning,
elena
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