Tuscany Roadtrip from Rome to Florence
Tuscany Roadtrip from Rome to Florence
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We loved Tuscany so much! Starting in Rome, one of the most beautiful cities in the world, followed by the incredible hot springs in the South of Tuscany and the romantic curved streets in Val d’Orcia. Drive further North and you will see the cutest cities Siena and Florenz.
1. Rome – Day 1-3
Every building, every square, every corner looks beautiful in Rome! There are so many incredible places to visit in Rome that you should spend there at least 3 days to soak in the vibes of this city. For visiting the inside of the Colosseum and Roman Forum you can buy a combination ticket for 14€ at the Colosseum or online. The Pantheon is free to visit, as well as the Saint Peters Basilika in Vatikan City. We would recommend to get your car for the roadtrip after exploring Rome, you can take the Leonardo Express from Rome airport to get to the city.
Things to do:
– Colosseum & Arch of Constantine
– Roman Forum & Palantine Hill
– Altare Della Patria
– Pantheon
– Trevi Fountain
– Spanish Steps
– Villa Borghese and the park
– Piazza del Popolo
– Castel Sant Angelo
– Vatikan City
Stay at:
– Charme Spagna Boutique Hotel (a few meters from Trevi Fountain)
Eat at:
– Origano Campo de ‘ Fiori (a lot of vegan dishes, really good pasta)
– Gelateria Della Palma (150 ice cream flavors, vegan options)
– Buddy ( vegetarian and vegan cuisine)
2. Saturnia – Day 3-4
From Rome drive your car on the SR2 up North and on SR74 to Saturnia. The hot springs are open 24 hours and you don’t have to pay any entry fee, isn’t that unbelievable? Directly next to the springs is a parking space and a pizza automat. We would recommend to arrive a few minutes before sunrise, to have the hot springs for yourself. However, even in the midmorning this place isn’t touristic. The sun shining through the morning mist is incredible!
Stay at:
– Poggio Bertino (cute owner, beautiful country house with terrace, only 8 minutes away from the hot springs and really good breakfast!)
3. Montemerano – Day 4
After Saturnia you have to visit the close town Montemerano! Walk up the small alleys to the top of the town. The patios are so beautiful there and the view of the area is amazing.
4. Pitigliano – Day 4
From Montemerano take the road SR74 back to the crossroad of SR2. On the way stop in the incredible town Pitigliano, the view is really beautiful. Look a the arches. Stay at the country roads SR74 and SR2 all the time, don’t drive the roads for trucks!
5. Bagni San Filippo – Day 4
Even if the hot springs in Saturnia are hard to top, the springs in Bagni San Filippo are beautiful as well. It’s also called the big white wale. You will find them on the way from Bolsena Lake to Val d’Orcia. With a parking ticket you can leave your car at the street and walk down to the springs for 10 minutes.
6. Val d’ Orcia and Pienza – Day 4-6
Val d’Orcia is located in the middle of Tuscany and for many photographers it is the most beautiful place in Italy. The shallow hills, the warm sunlight, the curved roads with all the cypresses. There are so many beautiful views, but the ones listed below are fantastic. We would highly recommend to stay here 2 nights to explore the area around.
Check out these photo spots:
– Sunset: Strada Provenciale del Picorile (Curva della Calla, Agriturismo Baccoleno)
– sunrise: Podere Belvedere
– sunrise: Chapel Vitaleta
– sunrise: Poggio Covili
Stay in San Quirico d’Orcia
The easiest way to explore Val d’Orcia is to stay 1 or 2 nights in the town San Quirico d’Orcia. You can park your car outside the town wall for free at Via Deifossi. Stay at Casa Camaldoli and have your breakfast at Trattoria Toscana.
7. Casale San Galgano – Day 6
Before exploring Siena you should definitely visit this incredible ruin Casale San Galgano. Even in the midday sun the light in the church is beautiful. The entry fee is 4€ or 3€ with a student ticket.
8. Siena – Day 6-7
On your Tuscany roadtrip you have to stay at least one night in Siena. The city is so cute!! We found the best hotel we could wish for, directly next to the stairs of the dome. The Piazza del Campo and the Piazza del Duomo are wonderful. Enjoy your morning croissant and coffee at Torrefazione Fiorella (also vegan croissants).
Things to do:
– Duomo di Siena
– Piazza del Campo
Stay at:
– Palazzo del Magnifico (directly next to the dome)
Eat at:
– breakfast at Torrefazione Fiorella
– Panini at Salumeria Il Cencio
– Compagnia dei Vinattieri
– Da Divo
– Mugolone
– Ravioli Wand (Asian Cuisine)
Park at:
– for free: parking space at Via Esterna di Fontebranda (From there you can take the famous escalator up to the city. Don’t drive in the ZTL zona traffico limitato, the punishment is really expensive. A white line around the parking place means free parking)
9. Florenz – Day 7-9
From Siena drive the last 1,5 hours North to Florence. Explore the different palazzi of the former leading families of Florence. Buy a panini at the famous Osteria Nuvoli and walk to the built-over bridge Ponte Vecchio. You have to stay at Terrazzo Sul Duomo! It’s an old building directly next to the dome, but the roof top terrace is the best!!
Things to do:
– Piazza del Duomo and the dome
– Palazzo Medici Riccarda, Palazzo Rucellai, Palazzo Strozzi, Palazzo Vecchio and Loggia dei Lanzi
– Santa Maria Novella
– Ponte Vecchio
– Santa Croce
Stay at:
– Terazza Sul Duomo (stunning roof terrace directly next to the dome, go there for sunset)
Eat at:
– Osteria All’ antico Vinaio (famous 3 Panini Shops in one street)
– Floret at La Terrazza Luisaviaroma Arts of kitchen bar (in the same building as the airbnb, fancy bowls)
– Osteria Nuvoli (popular among locals, ask for vegan options)
– Gelateria Eduardo (vegan ice cream)
Park at:
– Scandicci at the motorway for 7€ a day (take the tram for 1,50€ into the city center, don’t drive into the zona traffico limitato!)
10. Back to Rome or drive to Pisa
From Florence you can either take the motorway back to Rome for 3 hours or drive to Pisa to get a flight. The airport of Florence is really small and expensive. We got our car from Sicily by Car.
Follow our journey on Instagram