re: Florence/Tuscany

quote:

---

Anyone have opinions on great towns for a base outside Florence/Siena. Obviously want a place with great evening dining options.

---

We stayed in Monticchiello as our base in Tuscany. We had a car, so we drove out each morning to the other towns nearby. The AirBnB we stayed in was actually inside a tower of one of the medieval walls of the city. Probably the coolest ABnB we have ever stayed in. The owner also has an amazing restaurant in the same town. She passed away about a year ago, but I understand her daughter manages the apartment and the restaurant and from reading recent reviews it still seems to be outstanding.

Most of the Tuscan towns shut down at dark, so just keep that in mind if you need late night groceries/amenities. The first night we arrived late and everything was closed. We told our host that we hadn't eaten and opened her restaurant for us and gave us some ham and bread, as well as chocolate. Little things like that are great memories.

LINK

If you like bigger towns stay in Florence the three days. If you like smaller towns, Volterra, Siena, Civita de Bagniregio, Cortona, Pitigliano and Todi are some of my favorite spots in Tuscany (Todi is technically in Umbria). Others have mentioned Orvieto, it’s nice but not in my top tier. We had homeless people pestering us there and it’s right off the main highway between Rome and Florence so it gets tons of tourists.

If you wanted to stay closer to Rome, then Pitgiliano, Civita de Bagniregio and Todi are on the southern end of Tuscany. If I had to pick just one town, it would be Todi.

quote:

---

Todi is technically in Umbria

---

Umbria is very underrated. Assisi is the best know place because of St. Francis and St. Claire, but it's a also a great place to visit. Some of the places just south of there are quite nice - like Spello and Spoleto. The local wine in Umbria is excellent and you may have trouble finding it in Tuscany. And the food is outstanding.

There is a park built around a man-made waterfall - Cascata delle Marmore Belvedere - near Terni - that's worth a visit if you have a car. Man-made by the Roman's.

My flight for myself and my spouse is actually paid for by my company. And while I could cover most of the room rate with points, I think we may still do an Airbnb for the 3 nights we’re in Florence. Found a nice little spot right off the river and close to The Duomo.
Just trying to decide if we want all 3 nights there or 2 nights there and 1 night closer to Rome. We have to return to Rome on Friday morning for my rewards trip to begin.
(Tues-Thurs nights we’re on our own somewhere)