We are going to be in Tuscany in April with a car. It will be our first trip to that part of Italy. We plan to visit a few towns and villages from our base in Cortona.

I realize this question may seem a bit simplistic for those who are more seasoned at traveling this area, but is there generally public parking available, and is it easy to find? Right now, we are thinking about visiting Castellina in Chianti, Siena, Montepulciano, and/or Montalcino.

I assume given the number of people who visit the area every year that the answer to the question is "yes", but I don't want to be the one guy parking where I'm not supposed to. Any tips or recommendations would be great. Thanks.

Paul

Paul-

Have you read the Driving in Italy pages on Slowtrav? There are explanations of signs and some helpful info about parking in general.

Thanks, Maureen. I somehow managed to miss that section of the site.

quote:

Originally posted by PDJ:
We are going to be in Tuscany in April with a car. It will be our first trip to that part of Italy. We plan to visit a few towns and villages from our base in Cortona.
Paul

Paul, I'll see you there!!!

Paul - Castellina is a very small town that has ample parking everywhere. In Siena we find it easiest to park in the new parking garage just inside the walls.... only because get turned around when trying to find our car. In Montepulciano it is best to park at the bottom of the hill and walk up and down. Montalcino has a lot of parking just to the right as you come into the town.

Hi PDJ

We had no trouble parking in Montepulciano or Montalcino when we were there last spring. It was easy to find free and available parking. Siena was a little more daunting, but I took a copy of the directions from "Siena Parking" under parking "Driving in Italy/Parking" with us. They are the ones entitled "An even better parking lot at Port Ovile" from Rachel & Joe in Tennessee. The directions worked out really well for us and the parking lot is just a short walk to a building with an escalator that takes you up to the streets of Siena. We were very relieved because of the multiple discussions of the Bermuda Triangle in connection with Siena.

Be sure to meet Alessandra while you are in Cortona- she is very hospitable. Also, save a day or at least part of one to explore the upper streets of Cortona and its little churches up there. The views are beautiful in every direction. See some of my pictures in the Photo Gallery under Cortona for some scenes from the upper streets. I wish I were going to be there again as soon as April.

Alessandra, we are definitely planning on stopping in to the shop to say hello. We arrive in Cortona on 4/17 and staying until the morning of the 20th, so keep an eye out for us.

Paul

Usually there are blu lines that define pay parking spaces if they are in the street. If you come to Florence and want to park at Piazzale Michelangelo look our for the fake parking attendant. It is free to park at Piazzale Michelangelo.

After paying a 100 euro fine a couple years ago, I now pay very close attention to where I can't park.