Hello,
I'm planning a trip to Tuscany in the middle of the summer. Is it so hot as to be unbearable?
I have chosen Agriturismo Creteiloe near Pienza. Other than Montalcino, Montepulciano, Arezzo and Siena, what are the "must do" day trips/towns to visit? I would like to see a town and visit a couple of wineries every day.

Also- is it worth driving down to Saturnia for the thermal waterfall? Or will it be too hot for that?

Any suggestions near Pienza for cheap, authentic local cuisine in a "perfect" setting?

Thanks,

Reaction to temperature is strictly individual. Some people find unbearable a heat that others find pleasurable, the same goes with cold. Italy is not a tropical country, just like most of the US it's a temperate country; even better, with its smaller size and the presence of the Mediterranean sea (which is a warm sea) all about it, Italy does not even have the extremities of cold and hot weather that can be found in some US areas at the same latitude. July and August are warm allrigh, the sun beats and on some day the absence of breeze will make it muggy, on other days the countryside will reward you with breezy, dry days during which the heat will seem lower than the thermometer says. Too hot or peasurably hot will dipend enterely on you.

Regarding Saturnia, consider that the whole thermal area is now enclosed and you must pay to enter the pools. IMHO a better solution is to head to Petriolo, where a similar source of thermal waters is lodged on the somewaht step side of a river. The bank is kinda terraced, terraces that have the shape and size of bathtubs. The top "shelves" are the hottest ones, as you move lower water gets cooler until it mixes with the cold river water. You can pick the right temperature by chosing hich "tub" to dip in. These pools are free, nearby there is an organized SPA area.
Here is a pic.

Hi Jim,

While it will be HOT in August, it's still so wonderful in Tuscany that I don't think it'll matter unless you can't bear humidity. Does the agritourismo have airconditioning? If not (and it probably doesn't) make sure they supply you with some fans for nighttime. If they have a pool, try to relax there during the hottest time of the day. And, try to be in a restaurant for long, luscious lunches...take your time. Have big slices of cocomero (watermelon) and cups of gelato

The routine for us in the middle of a hot, humid summer trip is to get up early and take advantage of the mornings for touring, try to be in a lovely, local restaurant/trattoria in the hill town we are touring by about 1:30 at the latest and relax there for a long lunch. Then venture out again or go back to the agritourismo and relax by the pool until about 4:00pm and then out again until dark. Back to the agritourismo, relax, freshen up and then out again at about 9:00 pm for dinner! HEAVEN!

If we're in a City (like Rome for instance) we'll go to a museum during the hotest part of the day and spend the rest of the time eating, strolling, window shopping, cafe-hopping.

As far as Saturnia for the thermal springs, I might pass on that during August but Saturnia is a lovely town that you might want to explore anyway.

Arezzo was not my favorite Tuscan town (but my friend LOVED it so...to each his own) Pienza, Montalcino, Montepulciano, Montefollonico, Siena, Cortona, Impruneta(known for its terra cotta production but there's a fantastic place for lunch right on the main square where you can sit outside and have huge bowls of seafood/shellfish and jugs of wine), Fiesole (if you get up by Florence),all are wonderful. Pick a destination on the map in the mornings at breakfast and get lost on the way and poke into any small town you come across...it's such fun!

JimL,
See http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/tuscany/hs_planning.htm for daytrips.

Henry

Three years ago europe had a terrible heat wave. We were there in mid-June, but it was very much "August weather". This is why we tried May and Oct. the following two years.
Bottom line:
Walking is one of the things you do the most (at least we did) and you'll need lots of water with you.
Staying at agriturismos wasn't bad. the evening breezes made it very comfortable (I tend to like it cold when I sleep).None of these had air.
In the cities (that year Florence and Paris), we had no air-and hated it!!!
Personally, as much as I love Rome, I really don't think I'd like it as much in very hot weather.I know,for sure, that I would only stay there in an airconditoned hotel.
Note: Be careful to make sure what kind of air and if all rooms have it. We experienced websites that say "air conditioned", but only in their lobby, or restaurant, or a portable unit (many don't work well). We checked into one in Florence that had one portable unit,but already gave it to someone wsho checked in before us.