Enjoyed your trip report in Slow Travelers.
Was wondering what you thought of Porto S. Stefano? We were there 10/18,19. We did stay at Torre D. Cala Piccola. My husband refers to it as the drive to hell! He asked me why I picked that hotel when I could have picked one in Porto Stefano where they had REAL ROADS? Or Port'Ecola? (also a lovely town) To make matters worse, we had to navigate the roads at night to go into town for dinner as the only meal they served at the hotel, while we were there, was a continental breakfast!

How funny that your wife had a goal to find a red leather jacket as that was my intent also. We too shopped at the designer outlet mall outside of Florence and we all have the same exact impression! I came home without a leather jacket again. Oh well, perhaps another trip, but I will pass on the designer outlet mall!

This trip we drove around So. Tuscany and the Orcia Valley, as you recommended. We also followed your advice (well, not intentionally) and got lost after we left Montalcino.(beautiful old city) I had to repeatedly tell my husband while he was driving (he was verbally venting his frustration about the roads) that getting lost was the best part of a vacation! He now admits that we did see some beautiful country by getting lost that we would not have seen otherwise.

It sounds as if we were in the same areas about the same time.
You have been of great help to me, as well as to others, with your advice. Would have enjoyed meeting you and your wife. (I remember someone posting More dates for Fodorites in Italy, just before I left saying it would be fun meeting other Fodorites)
In rereading that posting I see that you were in Montalcino the same day we were, the 12th.

Sounds as if you also had an enjoyable trip.

Kay

Hello, Grazie for your comments--sorry we missed you in Montalcino. We did have dinner one nite with Deb and her husband from Alberqueque at Grappolo Blu. We too liked Porto San Stefano. We drove to Cala Piccolo but decided to stay in town--a place called La Caletta on the water--as far as you can go on the bay--not bad for the price.
The best place for leather are the many shops near Santa Croce--and you really need to shop. This may be our last trip to Italia for awile--maybe Sicily in 2005.

I will have to research La Caletta. It sounds nice. I like the fact that it is on the water and close to town as we enjoyed the town and the food. We had dinner one night at Il Moletto on the harbor. The meals were quite good.
Can you tell me where Santa Croce is located?
Thanks again for your help. With your help and others at Fodors, our vacation was made so much more enjoyable!
Oh by the way, I think you made the right decision by staying somewhere else than Torre D. C. Piccola. We really would not recommend it to others.

Santa Croce refers to the area around the Santa Croce church--one of the primary sights in Florence. The leather artisans are all in this part of town.

Thank you! I will put that in my diary for future reference.