Just back from a wonderful trip - maybe the best one yet! Thanks so much to many of you for wonderful advice and ideas - all printed out and carried along with us! <BR>Stops were Florence, Siena, Montepulciano and surrounding area, Lucca, and the coast between Portofino and Riomaggiore. <BR>Happy to answer any questions.

Hi Anne, <BR>I'd love to hear more about Montepulciano and the surrounding area. What did you see? Where did you eat? did you drink any great wine? how was the driving (assuming you drove)? <BR> <BR>--Beth

Hello Beth - <BR>We loved the area around Montepulciano - thought that it was the most beautiful area of Tuscany. We picked up a car in Florence, drove around Chianti on our way to Siena. After spending the night there (beautiful town, but I agree with previous posters that it is SO jammed with tourists! I didn't expect it to be quite so mobbed!), drove to the beautiful Monte Oliveto Monastery. They have a wonderful restaurant under a rose arbor which we would have loved to eat in - but it was full on that Sunday afternoon. I got their phone # for next time we go! We also got there during the hours that the monastery was closed for "siesta" - but what we could see was so beautiful that we plan to make a scheduled visit there next time, not just a stop on the way. Then stopped at Montalcino for lunch at an enoteca, where of course we enjoyed some Brunello . The next day we had Vino Nobile and it was interesting to experience the differences between these 2 great wines. The VN seemed more buttery, and had more of a "bite". They were both so full-bodied and rich - real mouthfuls! Obviously I'm not a wine connoiseur - but enjoyed them both. <BR>Montalcino was a lovely town - narrow streets shaded by tall homes,bright geraniums cascading from window boxes, interesting shops, views into the distance down tiny alleys... <BR>Then on to our "home" for a couple of days - an agriturismo on a hill outside of Montepulciano. We didn't know what this would be like - got the info from an Italian website, no picture, and not alot of details. Well, when we arrived (Ornelia, the owner, came to meet us and lead us to Caggiole when we called her from Montepulciano), my husband and I looked at each other, and said "We're just going to hang out and relax here - will have to come back to see more towns - this it too great to leave!" <BR>The tiny town of Montefollonico was nearby, so made reservations for our splurge dinner at La Costa. It was superb! I won't take up space with a description - let me know if you want more info. <BR>The next day we took a little time to explore Pienza, a lovely hilltop village with one gourmet food shop after another. Took home wonderful pecorino (the town SMELLS like it!!), and other goodies for a picnic lunch. After a relaxing afternoon at "our" farm, drove 5 minutes into beautiful Montepulciano and had dinner at a wonderful little trattoria, Rosticerria di Voltaia. The friendly owner shared recipes for the delicious homemade regional dishes. <BR>Driving was great - from the tiny gravel lanes to the autostrada, no problems. <BR>Let me know if you have any further questions.

<BR>HI ANNE..WE WERE IN THE PIENZA-MONTEPULCIANO LAST SPRING,AND DYING TO GO BACK FOR MORE NEXT SPRING.CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT YOUR AGRITURSIMO NEAR THERE??THANKS

We spent 2 nights in Caggiole 2, on a hill about 5 minutes from Montepulciano, off of the provincial road - close to the Vecchia Cantina complex, if you remember that. Our gracious hostess, Ornelia Mangiavacchi, who spoke no English, came to meet us and led us to the farm when we called her from Montepulciano. Caggiole is a lovely terraced 11 hectare farm, producing olives, grapes, fruit, and honey. The new portion of the old farmhouse, completely redone 3 years ago, contains 3 bedrooms , each with bath, and a well-equipped kitchen. The cost was L 100,000/night with breakfast (which included a delicious homemade fruit tart each morning). The phone # is 0578/716479. <BR>

Hi Anne, <BR> <BR>We have about 5 days planned to see Tuscany and would love to have a very special home base to come back to each evening. Was thinking of seeing Siena, San Gimignano, Florence, Lucca and Pisa before heading up to Cinque Terre. Any suggestions on a good central location that would have a charming, relaxed place to stay for two (and reasonably priced)? Thanks in advance for any advice! <BR> <BR>

Anne.. <BR> <BR>Thanks for you travelogue. <BR> <BR>We will be in Tuscany and Cinque Terre..next month..and appreciate your observations. <BR> <BR>Dick

I am headed on a first trip to Italy, May 1. We are saving Tuscany for another time so will save your wonderful report! We are spending time in Levanto, the Cinque Terre and Florence, so any special things you would like to share would be great to hear. I am especially interested in restaurant experiences and anything that stands out in your mind, although it all sounds exhilarating. Thanks.

Just noticed that this has been brought back up. Email me directly for specific info, if you'd like. I'll get to these questions next week. <BR>Happy travels!

Hi Maddy, <BR> <BR>I highly recommend the restaurant Mama Gina's on the left bank of the Arno in Florence. Granted it was two years ago that I ate there, but during my two weeks travelling around Italy, it was by far the best restaurant. Reservations are close to necessary. <BR> While the Duomo in Florence is of course a must see, I also thoroughly enjoyed San Lorenzo (I may have spelled this wrong). Don't be fooled by its plain exterior. The interior is stunning and the architecture and art fabulous. There are chapels, gardens and other areas to see other than the main church that should not be missed. The hours there were somewhat limited though. I also found wonderful deals in the market surrounding the church. <BR>