Off-the-beaten-path recommendations for a 15-day Emilia-Romagna/Tuscany road trip in late November?
FR

Translated into English.

Original post
VI
Hello Voyage Forum members. For my wife’s birthday and her 64th year, I’d love to plan a two-week road trip with her—using our own car—preferably avoiding overly touristy spots, so off the beaten path where possible. That said, we wouldn’t mind stopping at must-see places along the way. The trip would cover Emilia-Romagna and/or Tuscany if combining both regions is doable in that timeframe, with the option for some hikes during the period. We’re looking at late November 2026. I’d prioritize the most authentic accommodations, ideally with breakfast included, without exceeding 100 € per night if that’s possible. So, stays like private rooms in hostels or homestays would be perfect. Based on these details, I’d really appreciate any recent tips or insights from Voyage Forum members to help me plan this surprise anniversary trip.
PA PapJ59 Globetrotter ·
Hi,

You can’t exactly say late November is the best season...

Nor that the days are long (sunrise/sunset in Bologna on 11/25 is 7:20 AM/4:40 PM... oops!)

For interesting things to see, CHECK OUT and read the three tabs on my blog:

https://blogs.crespel.me/italie2019/

See you later!
MA Marlyd Regular ·
Hello, We visited Tuscany and Umbria in 2019. For accommodations, we booked stays at agritourismos where breakfast was included and sometimes dinner. I just checked my archives, and that year, prices were around 85 € per night with breakfast. That was over 7 years ago, so obviously, you should expect to pay more now. Since you're traveling outside the tourist season, you’ll likely find better prices, but you’ll also have less daylight for sightseeing. There are must-see spots (for me) in both regions. Here’s what we did in 10 days (though I felt it was too rushed): San Gimignano-Volterra-Siena-Pienza-San Quirico d’Orcia-Val d’Orcia-Città della Pieve-Orvieto-Todi-Spoleto-Assisi-Perugia-Gubbio-Arezzo
GA Gaura Veteran ·
Hi, I love Tuscany, and I’ve been to Bologna several times too... but in November😕 it’s cold, damp, and even rainy! The days are short, and there won’t be any tourists. Accommodation prices are at their lowest—take advantage to see the must-see spots! In Bologna, Siena, and even Florence, you’ll find well-located studios on Airbnb for under 100 € per night. I haven’t checked hotels, but prices are probably slashed too, as well as agriturismi. In historic cities, you’ll always find something to see or do, no matter the weather. Ravenna also has the stunning mosaics in its churches... For landscapes, I know the Val d'Orcia and the Crete Senesi well, but without leaves on the trees or vines... it won’t have the same charm. I’m not sure what the vast wheat-field hills look like at this time of year. Pienza is a great base for exploring the region.
VI Vitamalagasy ·
Hello, Thanks for the quick reply. You're right, it's not the best time of year, but my wife's birthday is on November 24th. I checked out the blog with the itinerary and details to get some inspiration. Thanks again for your tips. Best regards.
VI Vitamalagasy ·
Hello, Thanks for your reply. I looked into the suggestions you mentioned, including some towns that appear in blue, which link to detailed pages on VoyageForum. The off-season period should make it possible to find accommodations for under 100 €. Thanks again for this info. Best regards.
VI Vitamalagasy ·
Hello, Thanks for your details—I’ll take them into account. I’ll plan accordingly based on these points. My wife’s birthday is on November 24th, so we’ll adapt. Best regards.
MA Marlyd Regular ·
Don’t hesitate if you have other questions, and you’re right about prices being better in the off-season.
MA Mathews Globetrotter ·
Hi, why insist on nothing but sunny days? Summer in Italy is scorching—I was on the verge of heatstroke the last time I was there. And isn’t there a kind of poetry in rainy days?
PA PapJ59 Globetrotter ·
Hi, why insist on sunny days at all costs? Summer in Italy is scorching—I was on the verge of heatstroke the last time I was there. And isn’t there a kind of poetry in rainy days?

Though...

Rainy day in Arezzo (*Life Is Beautiful* by R. Benigni):
VA Valmichel86 Regular ·
Good evening, late reply. I published a "off-the-beaten-path" travel journal about part of Tuscany. You can still check out the kind of places to visit. But that’s about it, because if I went there in late November, I wouldn’t do anything like in the journal. 1-I’d stick to the main art cities: the most famous and most visited ones, because at this time of year, I could enjoy them with fewer crowds. 2- I wouldn’t include too many: 6 is too many, 4 is good (for example). If you include too many, you’ll have to change accommodation every 2 or 3 days. That prevents a "flexible" organization. I’d pick the ones that appeal to me the most and visit them in some detail (not just a quick stop). 3- I’d choose accommodations in the city (downtown or outskirts) with included parking, not countryside lodgings. Getting to the city will take time (short days) and cost at least 12 to 14 € per day to factor into the accommodation price for comparison (unless you’re an expert at finding free parking). 4- I wouldn’t book any visits (museums, monuments) in advance: keep it flexible. If you want to see something outside the city where you’re staying (for example, a villa if you’re in Florence) in November, do it when the weather’s nice, so decide as late as possible (with near-certain weather forecasts). Impossible if the day is locked in by tickets bought in advance. 5- If you plan "off-the-beaten-path visits," double-check opening days and hours; I’m convinced some places are only open on Saturdays and Sundays (or Friday-Saturday-Sunday) in November.

This is just my take on traveling in late November. If it helps, great!
DR Drtripping ·
Late November can work well if you keep it simple, as others said: 3 bases, 4-5 nights each, so you're not packing every 2 days with short daylight. A possible plan: - Bologna (4 nights): food, the arcades, and an easy day trip by train to Ravenna for the mosaics, or to Modena. For a hike, sections of the Via degli Dei start right from Bologna. - Siena (4-5 nights): base for the Crete Senesi, Pienza, Montepulciano and Val d'Orcia. The Via Francigena stretch toward Monteriggioni makes a nice day walk. - Lucca (4 nights): walk or cycle the city walls, day trip to Pisa, and hikes in the Garfagnana valley if the weather allows. For the birthday on the 24th: San Miniato (between Florence and Pisa) holds its white truffle fair on the last three weekends of November. It's also new olive oil season, so many mills (frantoi) offer tastings. Under 100 € with breakfast should be doable off-season. Some to compare: - Bologna: JR Hotels Bologna Amadeus, My One Hotel Bologna - Siena: Villa Piccola Siena, Hotel Vico Alto (just outside the walls, easier with a car) - Lucca: B&B La Bella Addormentata e il Principe Calaf Since you're driving, watch out for the ZTL zones (restricted traffic) in historic centres. The cameras send fines months later. Ask each hotel where to park and whether they can register your plate. Buon compleanno to your wife!

Similar discussions

You might also like