places to visit between Florence and Rome?

Fulham_Mark

Hello all.
Me and my friend are off to Italy for a week. Have a car and want to see a variety of attractive villages, countryside and maybe a beach too.

Lonely planet etc are a bit backpacky and I've found that they often create hugely over-popular places that everyone goes too. The charm and tranquility can be lost but there are often unspoilt gems just a few miles away.

So with the car we can get anywhere. Can anyone suggest some gems to visit between Florence and Rome? Nothing too romantic, we are 2 chaps

Many thanks if you can.
Mark

teddie2003

Fulham_Mark wrote: »

Hello all.
Me and my friend are off to Italy for a week. Have a car and want to see a variety of attractive villages, countryside and maybe a beach too.

Lonely planet etc are a bit backpacky and I've found that they often create hugely over-popular places that everyone goes too. The charm and tranquility can be lost but there are often unspoilt gems just a few miles away.

So with the car we can get anywhere. Can anyone suggest some gems to visit between Florence and Rome? Nothing too romantic, we are 2 chaps

Many thanks if you can.
Mark

If you can go to Sienna, the main Campo is brilliant and the cathedral has one of the items in Dan Cruikshanks' "around the world in 80 treasures".

Lucca is supposed to be good as well as San Gimiano, all in the Forence/Rome route. These may be a bit touristy, but once you get in the back streets Italy is great.

Have a look on the tripadvisor forum, there was an escorted trip working out of Florence in a small minibus, on there about a year ago where they pick you up take you to the smaller less visited areas including vinyards and hill villages.

J_B

My sister lived the last 30 years of her life in Orbetello, which is near to Grosetto. (she died last year )

It's on a sort of causeway from the mainland to a small island with nice beaches etc

If you go there, please visit her shop 'Toni & Judi' and say hello to my niece and nephews!

lynneth_2

Hi
Why don't you try following the Via Francigena, the old pilgrim route fron canterbury to rome, you could pick up the route in Lucca, it would then take you onto Siena, Bolsena (nice lake) & viterbo. http://www.yourwaytoflorence.com/tourism/toscana/francig.htm
Have a good time

Neil_Taylor

As a stop between Florence and Rome, try Orvieto in Umbria, half way ish, and if you want to stop there, the Hotel Maitano:

http://www.hotelmaitani.com/en/index.html

Had four days there last year. very well positioned and charming staff
They will park the car for you for about 12 euros per night.

Lake Bolsano is pleasant.

In Southern Tuscany, a day around Montepulciano, and Pienza is good.
Nearby is San Quirico d'Orcia.

Try also Montalcino, The Brunello is probably the most expensive wine in Italy, but the town's pretty.

Further North, the Chianti towns and Villages between Florence and Siena are pleasant - Greve, Panzano, Radda and several others.


For culture Florence is the centre of the world, but you'll need several days, and then you get culture overload.

helise

Hello

Family have a house between Florence and Rome so have explored the area quite a bit.

I would recommend the following:

Hill Town of Cortona (made famous by Frances Mayes House in Tuscany books. Beautiful town, fantastic views, walk up to the church on top and see the Beautified Saint. Famous art gallery or just have a beer and watch the world go by.

Arezzo, great for shopping, has antique market once a month, great church.

Lake Trasimeno, Umbria. Drive round it and visit the lakeside towns, take a trip to the island of Maggiore where Francis of Assisi attended the monastry. Swim, windsurf etc. Very popular with the Italians at holiday time.

Sienna, as someone has said before, is great.

Orvieto is a lovely hill town, famous for it's wine and the frescos in the church. You can take the funicular (sp?) railway from the train station at the bottom of the hill.

Perugia, although the capital of Umbria I've never found it too busy. The bottom of the hill can be a bit seedy but the hill town itself is incredible, loads of narrow streets. There are underground tunnels you can take to enter the city (check out a guide book). Has a jazz festival in July or is it August, can't remember. Good for exploring .. and famous for it's chocolate (although more for the girlies I expect).

Just a few places to get you thinking, have a great time.

Helise

jevsy

:cool: We took a day trip on local bus from Florence to San G and it was absolutely fabulous! Best place we have been in Italy so far. We then went on train and stayed in Siena which again was lovely with a lot of character. Stayed in an old monastery quite central called Il Chiostre del Carmine which was great. I would say San G is a must!!:cool: