Tuscany: Futa, Chianti & Val d'Orcia

3 days · 3 driving roads · 100 miles of them · best April–June, September–October

Bologna to Siena the slow way. The Futa and Raticosa are the old Bologna–Florence mountain road; the Chiantigiana then runs Florence to Siena through the vineyards; Val d'Orcia is the cypress-and-dirt-track panorama from San Quirico to Montepulciano. Overnight in Florence or Greve, then Pienza. Overnight in Florence or Greve, then Pienza. The Futa is trucks and a mountain; Chianti is 50 km/h through villages; Val d'Orcia is the postcard, often from a white road just off the tarmac.

Getting there

⛴ Eurotunnel Le Shuttle — Eurotunnel, about 36 min, up to 4/hour. Check sailings.

Worth knowing: Futa is a mountain pass with trucks and a 1960s surface in places, not a scenic loop. Chiantigiana is 50 km/h through every village and full of bicycles on weekends. Val d'Orcia's famous views are often from white roads just off the SR2 — the tarmac is the connector. ZTL cameras in Florence and Siena will fine you; park outside. Fuel on the RA3/A1 approaches, not in Pienza.

The roads, in order

1. Futa & Raticosa Passes SS65 · Bologna → Florence · 45 mi · 1 h 45 min ☕ Chalet Raticosa · 📷 Futa German war cemetery
2. Chiantigiana Wine Road SR222 · Florence → Siena · 40 mi · 1 h 30 min (make a day of it) 🍽️ Antica Macelleria Falorni · 🍽️ Antica Macelleria Cecchini · 📷 Castellina in Chianti
3. Val d'Orcia Panorama SP146 · San Quirico d'Orcia → Montepulciano · 15 mi · 45 min 📷 Vitaleta chapel viewpoint · 📷 Pienza walls · ☕ Caffè Poliziano

Drive it

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