My wife and I will return to Italy (2nd, but not last, time) in early Oct-2004 for a walking tour (8 days).

We have two choices: Tuscany or Amalfi Coast.

Any suggestions as to which should be our first choice? Assume that we like to walk.

Also, if we had lets say two extra days, any suggestions on where we should spend them before coming home?

- Dan

Dan, the Amalfi Coast is a walkers' paradise! If you type in "Amalfi Coast and hiking" in the text search box, you will come up with numerous posts to peruse. My husband and I spent several days in Sorrento and walked our feet off. Sorrento is criss-crossed with walking paths. So are the towns of Ravello and Amalfi, to name a few. We walked down the hills from Ravello to the coast line at Amalfi and more breathtaking scenery you couldn't ask for. To your question about where to spend two extra days, that depends on where you are flying into and out of--Rome? Florence?

Re where we would fly out of, we live in the Washington DC area. We would adjust our flights in and out of Italy to where we wanted to stay.

- Dan

Hi DM,

For the AC, from DC you can fly in and out of Naples or Rome.

For Tuscany you can fly into and out of Florence, Bologna, Pisa, Venice and Rome.

When you say that you like to walk, I think there's a big difference between walking and what you would do along the Amalfi coast. That is strenuous hiking unless you're always heading downhill! Just 'walking' from the beach to our apartment in Positano was a hike and we were down pretty low. Of course, there are areas in Tuscany where a walk could be strenuous. Just something to consider. Both areas are beautiful but completely different scenery. Sounds like a wonderful trip.

We were in both spots last October and I wished we had saved the AC for another trip. We loved Tuscany and I think it is more conducive to visiting in October weather. The AC was relatively empty but the weather was cool and rainy (We were there the 2nd week of October). Definately not beach weather and the seas were too rough for the hydrofoils going to Capri. According to our hotel, that is typical October weather. I'd save it for another trip either in Spring or earlier fall.