Two weeks in Tuscany/Lazio!

[Anne]

My mom and I are making a much anticipated return to Italy next month, woohoo! I've travelled a bit in the past couple years, but this is my mom's first trip since before the pandemic. It's been several years since either of us have been back to Italy, so we're very excited.

We've booked apartments for a week each in Colle di Val D'Elsa and in Bagnoregio. We don't know much about either town, but they both struck our fancy and seem like good home bases for each of the areas we want to explore. I've rented a car, as we've done in the past, so we can ramble about on our own. I'll be both driver and navigator and will have my phone to use google maps for directions...aware that it can sometimes try to send one down a cow path or the like. I booked a Fiat 500 or similar, preferring something small for driving and parking. (My own car is a tiny Micra with manual trans, so no issues there.)

I've been doing research on these areas in advance and tagging items of interest on my map. I do love armchair exploring! But once on the ground, we'll most likely just take things each day at a time and see whatever we see. A good many of our best travel experiences have been stumbling upon unknown (to us) local treasures and unexpected experiences. If anyone has favourite places/sights in these areas, I'd love to hear about it.

Less than a month to go - can't wait!

 

[Ian Sutton]

We were rather impressed by Colle Val d'Elsa, oddly simply called 'Colle' by the locals, like there were no other hills nearby! It seemed to have Tuscan charm but without the worst impacts of tourism. It should prove a useful base, and it also has a strong glass making tradition to explore whilst you are there. I reckon it would have a pleasing evening passeggiata as well.

 

[Anne]

Perfect, sounds like we've chosen well! I will definitely check out the glass making, thanks for the info.

 

[Penn251]

Our favorite Italian sculpture garden is in Seggiano - The Giardino di Daniel Spoerri. Beautiful landscape, interesting scultptures and a fantastic onsite cafe with a really good chef. Could be a great spot as you are traveling form one location to the other.

 

[Alpinista]

Might consider instead basing in Orvieto and doing one of your excursions to Bagnoregio?

 

[Anne]

Our favorite Italian sculpture garden is in Seggiano - The Giardino di Daniel Spoerri. Beautiful landscape, interesting scultptures and a fantastic onsite cafe with a really good chef. Could be a great spot as you are traveling form one location to the other.

Oh that sounds wonderful, thanks!

 

[Anne]

Might consider instead basing in Orvieto and doing one of your excursions to Bagnoregio?

That's a good suggestion. We've twice been to Orvieto as a daytrip on a previous visits and loved it. But for some reason it isn't calling to us as a base for this trip.

 

[italian excursion]

That's a good suggestion. We've twice been to Orvieto as a daytrip on a previous visits and loved it. But for some reason it isn't calling to us as a base for this trip.

I’ve spent a lot of time in and around Bagnoregio/Orvieto over the past 30 years. It’s not a pretty hill town unless you’re speaking of the original one that is atop the crumbling hill just outside of the newer one. But the people are lovely and there is a beautiful agricultural valley below the main, newer (1000 years old) part of town. The special part of B is the one (3500 yo) which is sitting upon the hill outside of the newer part. Unfortunately, the older village which is quite small having maybe about 30 residents now, is very overrun with tourists on weekends. It’s got an interesting history unlike the newer part and is in a fairly central spot for seeing other parts of the region but I’d probably not want to spend an entire week there if you have now friends or family there. But you can’t drive to it you must walk the very steep concrete bridge up to it….hope that’s not where you’re actually staying!
Having said that, I love anywhere in Italy that I land but I probably would have chosen a spot in the countryside of Orvieto if not the town itself.
Just have an adventure and enjoy…it may be too late to change up that part of your trip so just go, be happy!
www.italianexcursion.com

 

[Anne]

I’ve spent a lot of time in and around Bagnoregio/Orvieto over the past 30 years. It’s not a pretty hill town unless you’re speaking of the original one that is atop the crumbling hill just outside of the newer one. But the people are lovely and there is a beautiful agricultural valley below the main, newer (1000 years old) part of town. The special part of B is the one (3500 yo) which is sitting upon the hill outside of the newer part. Unfortunately, the older village which is quite small having maybe about 30 residents now, is very overrun with tourists on weekends. It’s got an interesting history unlike the newer part and is in a fairly central spot for seeing other parts of the region but I’d probably not want to spend an entire week there if you have now friends or family there. But you can’t drive to it you must walk the very steep concrete bridge up to it….hope that’s not where you’re actually staying!
Having said that, I love anywhere in Italy that I land but I probably would have chosen a spot in the countryside of Orvieto if not the town itself.
Just have an adventure and enjoy…it may be too late to change up that part of your trip so just go, be happy!
www.italianexcursion.com

No, not staying in the older town. Countryside stays aren't for us. We like to be right in a small town with a couple restaurants, local shops, and easy access to drive in and out on day trips. It's a challenge to find affordable 2 bedroom apartments in the popular towns. (2 bedrooms isn't strictly necessary but it's more comfortable if we each have our own room. I'm 60 and my mom is, well, older than me! We have different bedtime routines, etc.) Having said all that, we haven't paid for our Bagnoregio apartment yet, so we might still change our mind, although I think that's fairly unlikely. We'll have a grand time in any case though!

 

[IslaWanderlight]

Colle di Val D’Elsa is a good base for San Gimignano and Volterra, while Bagnoregio gives you access to the Civita, Orvieto, and Lake Bolsena. Driving will make it easy, just watch for ZTL zones. You’ll have a nice balance of day trips and time to wander.

My mom and I are making a much anticipated return to Italy next month, woohoo! I've travelled a bit in the past couple years, but this is my mom's first trip since before the pandemic. It's been several years since either of us have been back to Italy, so we're very excited.

We've booked apartments for a week each in Colle di Val D'Elsa and in Bagnoregio. We don't know much about either town, but they both struck our fancy and seem like good home bases for each of the areas we want to explore. I've rented a car, as we've done in the past, so we can ramble about on our own. I'll be both driver and navigator and will have my phone to use google maps for directions...aware that it can sometimes try to send one down a cow path or the like. I booked a Fiat 500 or similar, preferring something small for driving and parking. (My own car is a tiny Micra with manual trans, so no issues there.)

I've been doing research on these areas in advance and tagging items of interest on my map. I do love armchair exploring! But once on the ground, we'll most likely just take things each day at a time and see whatever we see. A good many of our best travel experiences have been stumbling upon unknown (to us) local treasures and unexpected experiences. If anyone has favourite places/sights in these areas, I'd love to hear about it.

Less than a month to go - can't wait!

 

[Anne]

Colle di Val D’Elsa is a good base for San Gimignano and Volterra, while Bagnoregio gives you access to the Civita, Orvieto, and Lake Bolsena. Driving will make it easy, just watch for ZTL zones. You’ll have a nice balance of day trips and time to wander.

Thanks for the reminder, will definitely be on the lookout for ZTL signs!

 

[daphnik]

Hiii that's wonderful! If you and your mum ever want a relaxing coastal escape, I really recommend the Pontine Islands. If you happen to be at Terracina there is a ferry going there. I went with my sister, we swam in sea grottos around Ponza, ate amazing seafood right by the water, generally I found good info in this article for the place https://www.ferryhopper.com/en/destinations/italy/pontine-islands. Super peaceful, not too touristy, and just stunning. Would be such a lovely trip for you two.

 

[Sandrac]

My mom and I are making a much anticipated return to Italy next month, woohoo! I've travelled a bit in the past couple years, but this is my mom's first trip since before the pandemic. It's been several years since either of us have been back to Italy, so we're very excited.

We've booked apartments for a week each in Colle di Val D'Elsa and in Bagnoregio. We don't know much about either town, but they both struck our fancy and seem like good home bases for each of the areas we want to explore. I've rented a car, as we've done in the past, so we can ramble about on our own. I'll be both driver and navigator and will have my phone to use google maps for directions...aware that it can sometimes try to send one down a cow path or the like. I booked a Fiat 500 or similar, preferring something small for driving and parking. (My own car is a tiny Micra with manual trans, so no issues there.)

I've been doing research on these areas in advance and tagging items of interest on my map. I do love armchair exploring! But once on the ground, we'll most likely just take things each day at a time and see whatever we see. A good many of our best travel experiences have been stumbling upon unknown (to us) local treasures and unexpected experiences. If anyone has favourite places/sights in these areas, I'd love to hear about it.

Less than a month to go - can't wait!

You're going to have such a great time - I hope you'll have time to get together!

 

[jan]

So exciting for you, Anne and your sweet mom. I remember meeting her in Halifax. If Cheryl's comments turned you off maybe consider Todi. It is a more touristy spot though. Also, I think you may want to consider Spoleto. I loved it there! Anyway it sounds like a fabulous trip. So happy for you!

 

[Anne]

You're going to have such a great time - I hope you'll have time to get together!

I hope so too, and Mom's looking forward to (hopefully) meeting you!

 

[Anne]

So exciting for you, Anne and your sweet mom. I remember meeting her in Halifax. If Cheryl's comments turned you off maybe consider Todi. It is a more touristy spot though. Also, I think you may want to consider Spoleto. I loved it there! Anyway it sounds like a fabulous trip. So happy for you!

Thanks! We were both so glad to meet you when you were here. Oh no, Cheryl didn't put us off Bagnoregio. We're not bothered if it's not overly pretty, but appreciate knowing not to expect it to be! I will have a look at Todi and Spoleto though. We've not been to either town before.

 

[Anne]

Hiii that's wonderful! If you and your mum ever want a relaxing coastal escape, I really recommend the Pontine Islands. If you happen to be at Terracina there is a ferry going there. I went with my sister, we swam in sea grottos around Ponza, ate amazing seafood right by the water, generally I found good info in this article for the place https://www.ferryhopper.com/en/destinations/italy/pontine-islands. Super peaceful, not too touristy, and just stunning. Would be such a lovely trip for you two.

Sounds amazing. I'll keep these islands in mind for future travels, thanks!

 

[Anne]

Our favorite Italian sculpture garden is in Seggiano - The Giardino di Daniel Spoerri. Beautiful landscape, interesting scultptures and a fantastic onsite cafe with a really good chef. Could be a great spot as you are traveling form one location to the other.

Popping back to say a huge THANK YOU, Penn251, for this suggestion. We visited the garden today, and enjoyed a superb lunch at the cafe. The garden and sculptures are incredible, well beyond what we imagined. Fabulous spot! I would never have known it existed, except for your note.

 

[Penn251]

Popping back to say a huge THANK YOU

So glad you enjoyed it. It is definitely off the beaten path - but so worth it.

 

[italian excursion]

You must follow up with some of your favorite places, experiences. Looking forward to hearing how much fun/delight you had.

www.italianexcursion.com