Road Trips

6 Places You Absolutely Have to Stop on a Florence-to-Rome Road Trip

The drive from Florence to Rome is pretty straightforward, just hop on the A1 and jet three hours south. But you should be making a road trip out of it, so skip eating at the roadside autogrill and extend your drive. Pick one or two of our favorite pit-stop towns along the way for 12th century churches, Under the Tuscan Sun filming locations, and tagliatelle with truffles.
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    Monte San Savino

    Mile 54

    Why Stop
    One of Tuscany's oldest towns, it's topped by an 800-year-old stone castle; one of its many churches dates to the 12th century.

    Where to Have Lunch
    In cooler months, the stewed wild boar from L'Asinello outside of town is the Tuscan comfort dish you want to eat.

    Insider Tip
    Venture into the Misericordia church to see the 500-year-old wooden organ, one of the oldest in Italy, by master Giovanni Piffero.

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    Sinalunga

    Mile 67

    Why Stop
    Art lovers will want to see the Benvenuto di Giovanni frescoes at the San Biogio rectory; the Medicis used to live in the town's 14th-century castle.

    Where to Have Lunch
    This is Chianina-beef territory; we like the steaks (and old movie posters on the wall) at Da Forcillo.

    Insider Tip
    At the top of the town's hill are the ruins of an Etruscan temple dating to 800 B.C.; they're not well publicized, so ask a local to direct you.

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    Cortona

    Mile 75

    Why Stop
    Though Under the Tuscan Sun put it on the tourist map, it remains a dreamy postcard town, with cobblestoned streets and cafe-lined squares.

    Where to Have Lunch
    Osteria del Teatro, near the cloisters of San Francesco, for pesto ravioli.

    Insider Tip
    Check out Busatti, a family-owned linen producer that makes fabric for sheets and throws on century-old shuttle looms.

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    Cetona

    Mile 83

    Why Stop
    The town's San Francesco monastery was founded by Saint Francis of Assisi in 1212; you can tour its vegetable and cypress gardens.

    Where to Have Lunch
    A stylish crowd eats at L'Osteria Vecchia da Nilo (you can spot Valentino's estate on the hill).

    Insider Tip
    In summer, when the town fills up with day-trippers, book an upstairs table at Nilo—downstairs is social Siberia.

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    Orvieto

    Mile 106

    Why Stop
    It's all about the Duomo, the striped 14th-century cathedral with its Instagrammable frescoes by Fra Angelico and Luca Signorelli. The crowds here will be much thinner than in Florence.

    Where to Have Lunch
    Trattoria dell'Orso does a mean tagliatelle with truffles.

    Insider Tip
    The Duomo is open all day from March through October and closed at lunch November through February. Eat early in summer and visit at lunchtime.

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    Orte

    Mile 130

    Why Stop
    This medieval hill town, with 16th-century towers and a Renaissance-era aqueduct, sees very few travelers.

    Where to Have Lunch
    Trattoria da Saviglia does Rome-worthy cacio e pepe, but we go for the veal stew.

    Insider Tip
    The town's five palaces date to the 14th century, and each is marked by the oval-crested coat of arms belonging to the once-prominent Albertis.

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