We are planning a driving trip from Florence to Rome spending one night in the Tuscany/Umbria region the first two weeks of Oct. Any advice on a good stop over point, we were thinking of Perugia. Also, any tips on driving. How is the weather at this time of year?

Perugia is not exactly "on the way" - - but I think it is nice (never been there - - been to Assisi, just about 20 miles away). No specific tips to this route - - or do you mean driving in Italy in general? <BR> <BR>And central Italy in October is golden and glorious, even if starting to get a little cooler. <BR> <BR>Best wishes, <BR> <BR>Rex <BR>

That drive goes by pretty fast (except getting in and out of the cities). Perugia/Assisi are good stops. Another option is San Gimignano & Orvieto which are right along the way.

We did the drive las fall and took two days to drive through Tuscany - probably the best part of the trip. We stopped one night in San Gimignano, a small and quaint old town where we stayed in a fantastic place about a mile from the city - Hotel Pescille, pool, beautiful views, great rooms. The other night we stayed in Siena which is larger, there is a University there, and we had the best meal of our lives at Cane e Gato. Any other info let me know.

Siena Siena Siena <BR>A meal at Cane e Gato is not to be missed!!! ( about $140 USD for two and you must have reservations) (8:00pm reservation and you'll get out of there about 11:45 - Midnight

On the way to Rome, do yourself a favor and stop in Cortona in Southern Tuscany. <BR>A lovely hilltop town, with a charming ambience. The main Piazza has a nice mix of locals and tourits for a real Italian feel; plenty of shops and restaurants...galleries too. Park outside the city walls (free&safe), there are a few quaint hotels on side streets around the Piazza Della Republica; for a more rural feel stay at Alla Corte Del Sole in nearby Petrignano, 20 minutes south of Cortona, swimming pool, gardens, beautiful set up....safe and serene....highly recommended. Caution: Drive during the daylight hours, rural Italy is extremely difficult to navigate <BR> at night without foreknowledge of the roads, no street lights or street names!