easygoer

We are planning a two week driving tour next September to Tuscany and the Ligurian Coast. The board is full of so much information. Any advise on a starter itinerary would be appreciated. We have already to Rome and Florence, so we could want to concentrate of these two areas. Where is the best location to fly into? Genoa, Milan or Rome. Thank you in advance.

Weadles

There are a few ways to do this. If you want to see Tuscany first, you'd be better off flying into Pisa (many flights available from London) or Florence ( some flights available from European cities). You could then pick up your car at the Pisa airport, and spend a week touring Florence and Tuscany.

For the second week, you could split your time between Cinque Terre and Santa Margherita or Camogli, then fly Genoa-London-US.

Good luck with your planning!

Aleta

Fly into Pisa, but stay in Lucca becauuse it is less touristy and a town to walk around. We took cab from Pisa airport to Lucca, then rented a car as we left Lucca for Siena 2 nights later.
We based ourselves in Sienna, so that we could have plenty to see, places to dine, and walks to please all 4 of us if we wanted to separate for a while. If it had been only two of us, we would have stayed in a lovely place in nearby countryside. We stayed 5 days and made day trips to various towns that are the typical highlights of the area. we included San Gimignano, Montalcino, Pienza, Montepulciano, or could do Chianti--all an easy drive from Siena for 1/2 day or all day.

Traveler863

Easygoer,
I think your post says you already have Rome to Florence figured but I'll give me full recommended itinerary.

Perhaps a few days in Rome then pick up rental car. Stop in Sabine hills NE Lazio for a day or two or base yourselves for 3 days and see Amelia, Narni, Orvieto etc Or base in Orvieto. Then go to Assisi area for a day or two depending on time perhaps visit Todi on the way, and Speleto, Spello or Trevi from Assisi base. Then move on to Siena/Chianti area, visit perhaps San Gimignano andor Volterra, and to the south of Siena Pienza, Montelcino. Perhaps see Florence from Siena/Chianti base, park car take train for that. Move on to Cinque Terre, might slip into Pisa for afternoon see the tower then blow out, thats all is needed. Either fly back from Pisa or Genoa which ever works best.

Obviously can't see and do all of this in two weeks but the general route would give you the best of all the areas you are passing through, nearby or worth a diversion.

Enjoy your trip.

easygoer

Dear Traveler863, I should have previewed my reply, sorry for the errors. To be more correct, we have spent time in and loved Rome, Florence and Venice. Also been to the Amalfi Coast and Capri. This will be our third trip to Italy. We have enjoyed France, Portugal and just recently, the Andalusia. Since we love sightseeing, people and food, we have choosen Tuscany for our next trip. We are Newbies to this area. Everyone on this board highly recommends CT. I hope that helps. So, itinerary so far, 2 nights Lucca, 5 nights Siena, 8 more nights to go. Thanks for your help.

Traveler863

Easygoer,
Ok thats more clear...the pick up car and blow out of Rome...hit the Sabine hills, Amelia, Narni, Orvieto area your first few nights. Spend a few night in Assisi area, and see Spello, Speleto or if anyone is info pottery stop at Deruta. I wouldn't stay in Siena for 5 nights, the town of Siena perhaps 2 but also see in the area perhaps but not all Chianti (too many to list, take your pick or just take a nice drive), San Gigmignano, Volterra, to the south Pienza, Montalcino. Highly recommend CT....wonderful place, have a great trip.

Steve_James

EG - For the Ligurian coast I'd suggest spending your time on the Riviera di Levante. (If you try fitting in the Riviera di Ponente as well it will be too rushed).

The most scenic parts are the Portofino peninsular and the Cinque Terre - so personally I'd divide my time between them. Maybe 3 days in Santa Margherita Ligure/Camogli area, and 2/3 in the CT (Vernazza? Riomaggiore?).

For Tuscany, besides Lucca, Pisa and Siena you may want to find time for San Gimignano, Cortona, Arezzo, the Val d'Orcia area, Pienza, Pitigliano ...
The list goes on ...

You might find Dean's Tuscany suggestions thread useful:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...mp;tid=1325569

Hope this helps ...

Steve

P.S Traveller - You list several places in Umbria too - which would need an extra week.

Weadles

We were totally underwhelmed by Lucca when we visited in August. Am I missing something?

Anyway, I would definitely recommend San Gimignano, the area around Castellini/Greve for vineyard hopping, and Siena. I regret that we didn't make it to Pienza or Montepulcino, based on what I've read here, so you might want to check into those as well.

Good luck!

mgfit

I also was not that impressed with Lucca. It was ok for a day trip, but I personally liked San G and Siena better.

For the 8 days you have...I would recommend Camogli for a few nights if you want somewhere beautiful and not touristy. We stayed at Cenobio dei Dogi and it was very nice - 4 star hotel right on the water. This city is right next to Portifino...less expensive, beautiful and hardly any tourists at all. We liked it so much we never made it to Portifino!

I would also recommend CT. We only took a day trip there so I cannot recommend any hotels there. I am sure others can.

Another place on the way out would be Milan. I personally did not like that city much, but the Duomo and Last Supper are worth the stop. I would only spend one night there and possibly fly home from Milan. We did that and it was worth the trip to see the amazing duomo.

sssteve

easygoer -

check out my webpage. It covers several of our trips to Italy, including Tuscany and Liguria.
Here's the URL:
http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/5733/
Hope it helps you...

easygoer

Wow, thanks for the wealth of information. I have plenty of reading to do. Steve James, thanks for the link. That was a great trip report by Dean. Very helpful. Ssssteve, your site is incredible. Hope we can travel to all of the places you've been to. Now I just have to figure out our bases for exploring Tuscany. I think Weadles suggestion of three nights in Cinque Terre and three or four nights in Camogli or Santa Margherita sound perfect. Perhaps we can fly into Pisa and out of Genoa. Thanks again everyone.

Huitres

easygoer-the Cinque Terre and Camogli/Santa Margherita are close to each other. I would not spend additional days in the latter. It makes more sense to make the CT your base and then take local trains or boats up the coast (40 mins) to Camogli or SM. I make the CT my base all the time and then plan great day trips to Genoa, Camogli, etc and it works out perfectly each and every time. I was just there last month.

Likewise, concentrating on Florence (making it your base) then visiting the neighboring Tuscan towns would be great (Lucca, Siena, etc). The same can be done for Rome and environs. You won't want to be packing and moving on every other 3 days, having some consistency in your schedule does make for a pleasant vacation.

easygoer

Huitres, thanks for the advice. My thoughts are changing yet again. That's why these boards are the best. Regarding Florence, we've spent 4 nights there already, just enjoying Florence, so we don't want to base there. We have two full weeks, 15 nights, is it too long to spend 7 nights in the Siena area or split it up? I don't want to spend 7 nights in CT. Advise is appreciated.