We are doing 14 nights in Italy next early September to celebrate my 50th BD!
We are booked to fly into Venice and fly out of Naples. That can't be changed.
What I'm second guessing is.....I think I might prefer to have 4 nights in Positano instead of 3. This means that we need to modify the Tuscany part of our trip.
We have been to Florence before, but no where else in Tuscany.
Should we combine the Sienna/Montalcino and choose one hotel and use it as our
base for 3 nights - instead of 2 & 2? Or is it perfect the way it is? I'm such a perfectionist and I may be overanalyzing this!

Here's our current itinerary.....does anyone have any suggestions?
Also, wheres the best place to catch the train from the Montalcino area to Naples?

Venice: 4 nights
Train to Florence: 2 nights
Train to Sienna: 2 nights
Rent a Car & drive to Montalcino: 2 nights
Train to Naples - Driver service to Positano - 3 nights
Driver service to Naples -1 night (for early am flight home)

Hi D,

>I may be overanalyzing this!.....<

Yes, you are. You have a good plan. Stick to it or you will never reach a final itinerary.

You could drop 1 night from Siena and add it to Positano,

Thanks Ira. I knew I could depend on you for good advise!

Where do you suggest we catch the train for Naples? Chuisi?

Spend your time in Tuscany--3 or 4 nites--at one location. Then, drive to Sorrento to drop the car--why make it complicated? The rest looks good.

diane9,
From Florence to Siena the bus is a better option.

You can drive to Grosetto or Chiusi to catch a train in under an hour. Orvieto would be about an hour and a half.

Siena to Montalcino is about 45 minutes.If you need ideas in this area I have a large file. It is too big to post but if you e-mail me I will send it. [email protected]

Henry

Hi D,

You could drive to Sorrento, as Bob advises.
From there, the SITA bus runs to Positano. Or you could use a limo service.

You could also drive to Salerno, drop the car and take the ferry to Positano. This allows you to see the AC from the water.

Either way, there is no need to go to Naples to get to Positano.

Your pick.

I would get the car as you leave Florence--not hard, trust me.
Then, stop at Siena on your way south for 4 hours, and then on to your Tuscany base camp for 3 nites.

Thanks Bob & Ira! I'm thinking now that we may hire a driver/tour guide to drive us from Florence to Sienna,via San Gimignano. Stay one night in Sienna at the Grand Hotel Continental, then rent a car and drive ourselves to Montalcino and stay at the Castello Banfi for 2 nights.
Driving to Sorrento sounds like a good option, then hire a driver to bring us to Positano from there. I now get 4 nights in Positano which works for me!

Good ideas !
The Castello Banfi is really quite far south of Montalcino--I would stay closer to town.

Thanks Bob,
I didn't know that, however, we're looking for the aesthetic experience of the Castello, the dramatic views, wine, food, pool etc. So for us, it's going to be worth the extra drive.

Before you get your heart set on Castello Banfi, make sure it has everything you want. According to the Michelin Guide for Italy 2010, the restaurant, which had one star, has closed.

Hi D,

>I'm thinking now.........<
Sounds like a great trip.

Whether you drop the car in Sorrento or Salerno, the drive times and the costs should be about the same. The difference is that Salerno gives you a chance to see the AC from the water.

The ferry is aboout 3 blks from the train station. Plenty of room on the ferry for your luggage. Your hotel can arrange for a porter to bring your stuff up from the ferry.

Enjoy your visit.