My husband & I are celebrating our anniversary with a week of cooking school just outside of Florence in Sept. During the week we will take a few side day trips to Greve,Siena, San Gimignano,& Chianti Rufina. <BR>We will then meet friends in Florence for week 2. I am currently working on plans for second week. We will be renting a car in Florence and as this is our 1st time in Italy we are looking forward to a combination of sightseeing, relaxing & even the touristy seen. We love market days, eating, antiques, gardening and shopping. Please look at our projected itenary and offer any suggestions. <BR>Day 1 arrive Milan - train to Florence <BR> 2-8 cooking school <BR> 9 meet friends in Florence, rent car <BR> 10&11 drive to Spoleto, 2 nights - this <BR> will have us driving on Sunday - <BR> will that be a problem? <BR> 12&13 drive from Spoleto to Portifino - <BR> side trips along the way <BR> 14-16 drive to Bellagio-3 nights in <BR> Bellagio & lake district <BR> 17 Milan - return car, spend the <BR> night & fly home in the morning <BR>I only found this sight a few days ago, but I have certainly enjoyed reading thru some of the questions, answers and comments. I would really appreciate any help. <BR>Thanks <BR>Jan

The one problem that I see is that if you want to spend time in Portofino you will only have 1 day as it is a 5 hour drive from Spoleto to Portofino (without stopping). Portofino is definetly do-able in 1 day (actually 3 hours). We preferred Santa Margherita and taking the train to the CT for a day trip. You may want to look into the area South West of Florence, down by the Tuscan coast instead of going to Spoleto (we went to Umbria and liked Tuscany better) That way you can stop at the CT on the way up to Portofino and spend the whole next day in Portofino. Be careful when returning the car to the airport at Milan. We came from the other direction than you will but there was NO gas station on the way there to fill up. I'm still waiting to get my credit card bill to see how much I got charged for that one.

No problems driving on a Sunday in Tuscany/Umbria in September. <BR> <BR>It looks like day 10 is a Sunday. If so, you should check if/where in Milan you may return the car. <BR> <BR>May I ask why Spoleto? I have nothing againts it ... it's a quaint little town. Just curious. Are you planning to visit any site driving from Spoleto to Portofino? It's a long drive (almost 5 hours nonstop, the fast route). Are you planning to visit Todi and Orvieto? If you're able to leave Florence in the morning they may be better visited on your way to Spoleto. This would involve approximately 3 hours driving. Cortona or Arezzo could then be visited on your way from Spoleto to Portofino. Of course, being based in Spoleto, Foligno, Spelo, Assisi, Montefalco and Perugia would be easy day trips. Stretching it a bit, even Gubbio may be considered. You may also consider Deruta for ceramics shopping. <BR> <BR>As a general plan it looks ok to me ... very relaxing but for the Spoleto-Portofino piece (Portofino to Bellagio should call less than 3 hours nonstop). You'll be passing in Pavia so you may consider visiting the Certosa there. <BR> <BR>Can you put a specific date on day 1? I may check if there isn't anything special occuring along you route. <BR> <BR>Paulo <BR>

Jan, I think you have a good start but <BR>I would add these suggestions. <BR>Although not the fastest route, I would <BR>see Siena enroute to Spoleto. It is hard <BR>to miss Siena IMHO. Why Portofino? <BR>It is overcrowded and overpriced. I would also consider Santa Margherita or <BR>my favorite, Portovenere. Either is more authentic and better value. <BR> <BR>Another thought is to play hooky one day from the cooking class and train to <BR>Siena for a day trip. I hate to see you <BR>miss the best of Tuscany slaving over a <BR>hot stove---maybe that is the best of <BR>Tuscany---hmmmm! <BR>BUON VIAGIO !

Sorry Jan, I only had one beer but I <BR>must be drunk---I now see that you are <BR>doing day trips in Tuscany---great. <BR>Let me try again---BUON VIAGGIO !

WOW!! Thanks for your prompt replies and help. <BR>Day 1 of our trip will be 15 Sept - FRI <BR>Cooking school 16-23 so we will be starting week 2 on Sun 24 Sept. <BR>What would you think of dumping Spoleto and spending 2-3 days in the Siena area - with day trips to Montepuliciano, Monticano, Volterra, Cortona, Arezzo and Lake Trasimeno. Then up to Santa Margherita or Portovenere instead of Portifino. <BR> <BR>Any thoughts on the Lake portion of our trip? <BR> <BR>THANKS Jan

Basing yourself in Siena would shorten the distances you'd have to travel and give you the opportunity to explore southern Turscany, which is less visited than Central and Northern Tuscany. Your drive to the Riviera will be cut to under 3 hours, which looks much better than the previous 5. I also agree with Bob regarding Portofino. If you feel like strolling some fancy shops in Portofino you'll always be able to do it out on a day trip out from either Santa Margherita (5 min) or Portovenere (1 hour). Once you're planning to follow on to Bellagio, Santa Margherita would be more central (balancing driving times in both legs to about 3 hours). If you feel like splurging somewhat for dinner in the Santa Margherita area, try the Cà Peo, in Leivi, near Chiavari (strada Panoramica, via Caduti 90; tel. 0185/319696). Outstanding cuisine. <BR> <BR>Now, I've an itchy feeling that you may have a problem ellecting Siena as a base. You'll have visited it escaping from the stove. But what about your friends? If they've never been there, there's a nontrivial chance (right Bob?) that they will fall in love with the city and you guys may have a hard time leaving it for the planned side trips <BR> <BR>I'll see if I can come up with events taking place in the time frame you'll be there. <BR> <BR>Paulo <BR>

Jan, Paulo and I almost always agree and <BR>this is no exception. Forget Spoleto and <BR>hit south Tuscany, especially Montalcino <BR> <BR>Your timing is good for this wine country and the drive thru Pienza to <BR>Montepulciano is my fav in Tuscany. <BR>Try to have lunch at Poggio Antico just <BR>south of Montalcino--also a winery. <BR> <BR>As for the Lakes, I find the combination <BR>of Orta and Maggiore to be as nice as <BR>Como and more opportune for a Malpensa <BR>departure. Let me know if you need more <BR>input on that topic. <BR> <BR>Bottom line---you will love any of these <BR>destinations--your call.

Here are some events that should be taking place (wouldn't bet my life on it at the time you'll be in Italy, jan. <BR> <BR>Special Markets: <BR>Sep 17 - Antiquary in Sarteano (take the train to Chiusi and a bus/taxi thereafter) <BR>Sep 17 - Collectors' items - in the Chiostro of San Domenico church in Siena (any bus to Siena will end its trip in the San Domenico church) <BR> <BR>"Normal" Markets (partial list) <BR>Sep 25 - Radda in Chianti - 3pm to 8pm <BR>Tuesdays - Poggibonsi - 7am to 2pm <BR>Thursdays - San Gimignano - 8am to 1pm <BR>Thursadys - Castelnuovo Berardenga - 8am to 1pm <BR>Thursdays - Monteriggione - 8am to 1pm <BR>Fridays - Colle di Val d'Elsa - 8am to 1pm <BR>Saturdays - Castellina in Chianti - 8am to 2pm <BR> <BR> <BR>Music/Opera <BR> <BR>Sep 16: Florence - Teatro Goldoni, via Santa Maria 15 - 8:30pm <BR> Orchestra pieces (2 Bach Suites, Sciarrino, Manzone) <BR> San Gimignano - Teatro dei Leggieri, piazza del Duomo <BR> 9:30pm - Chamber music with the Quarteto di Roma <BR> <BR>Sep 17: Florence - Teatro Comunale, corso Italia 6 - 3:30pm <BR> The Magic Flute Opera <BR> Florence - Teatro Goldoni, via Santa Maria 15 - 8:30pm <BR> Orchestra pieces (2 Bach Suites, Sciarrino, Manzone) <BR> <BR>Sep 18: Florence - Sala Vanni , piazza del Carmine 4 - 9pm <BR> Quintetto Bolzano Brass <BR> <BR>Sep 19: Florence - Teatro Comunale, corso Italia 6 - 8:30pm <BR> The Magic Flute Opera <BR> <BR>Sep 20: Florence - Sala Vanni , piazza del Carmine 4 - 9pm <BR> Ensemble "Micrologus" <BR> Florence - Teatro Goldoni, via Santa Maria 15 - 8:30pm <BR> Orchestra pieces (2 Bach Suites, Donatoni, Henze) <BR> <BR>Sep 21: Florence - Teatro Comunale, corso Italia 6 - 3:30pm <BR> The Magic Flute Opera <BR> <BR>Sep 22: Florence - Teatro Goldoni, via Santa Maria 15 - 8:30pm <BR> Orchestra pieces (2 Bach Suites, Donatoni, Henze) <BR> <BR>Sep 23: Florence - Teatro Comunale, corso Italia 6 - 3:30pm <BR> The Magic Flute Opera <BR> San Gimignano - Teatro dei Leggieri, piazza del Duomo <BR> 9:30pm - Piano&Violin Concert <BR> <BR>Sep 24: Florence - Sala Vanni , piazza del Carmine 4 - 9pm <BR> Duo Concert (harpsichord) <BR> Florence - Chiesa di Orsanmichele, via Calzaiuoli <BR> 9pm - Pieces for Orchestra and violin <BR> Florence - Teatro Goldoni, via Santa Maria 15 - 8:30pm <BR> Choral music <BR> <BR>Sep 25: Florence - Chiesa di Orsanmichele, via Calzaiuoli - <BR> 9pm - Chamber music <BR> <BR>Sep 26: Florence - Sala Vanni , piazza del Carmine 4 - 9pm <BR> Ensemble "Il Rossignolo" <BR> Florence - Teatro Comunale, corso Italia 6 - 3:30pm <BR> The Magic Flute Opera <BR> <BR>Sep 31: Milan - Teatro alla Scala - <BR> Prokoviev's War and Piece Opera <BR> <BR>Paulo <BR> <BR>

BOB & PAULO OH MY GOODNESS!!!! What can I say but thank you, thank you. What great information. I can hardly wait to go. <BR> <BR>jan