Hi,

I am going to be heading to Italy as a first timer in April, I have planned a fair bit of the trip but would like some feedback and advice from seasoned Italy travellers. Here is what we intend to do:

arriving in Venice via overnight train from Vienna and spend 2 days in Venice, then take train to Florence for an overnight stop. The next day we will pick up a hire car and drive through tuscany staying in a small village of San Quirico d'Orcia a beautiful medieval town in heart of Tuscany. We are near Pienza, Montalcino and Montepulciano. Siena is 40 km far.

ttt

While in San Quirico, dine at Osteria il Tinaio. I had the best spaghetti sauce I've ever had in my life! Wish I could bottle it. Normally, I would never order spaghetti on a vacation (I like my own but this was great! Super nice staff.

I stayed in Pienza for a week (just above San Q) and there are many good restaurants there.

How long are you staying in San Q? There are endless daytrips into Tuscany and Umbria, San Gim being a favorite of mine.

ah, Chianti region, visit some wineries.

I would add a night to Florence.

Hi B,

May I suggest that you skip the overnight in Florence, add the time to Venice and drive to Tuscany from Venice.

You can visit Florence as a daytrip from San Quirico d'Orcia via bus from Siena if you wish.