Plan to drive from Cinque Terre to Sienna. Where is the best place to pick up a rental car near Cinque Terre? <BR> <BR>Can anyone suggest a scenic route to Sienna. I would like to stop at Pisa and Lucca along the way if possible.

We dropped off a rental that we'd started in Florence in Chiavari, just north of Cinque Terre. I remember from my conversations with the booking agent that most companies also had agencies in Genoa and Pisa.

We too are driving that way (actually SM to Pienza via Montalcino). Looking at my big Michelin map there seems to be 2 ways to go, either the A11/A12 across to Florence then down or go slighly past Pisa and take the ? down (why this road, a dual carriage way, doesn't have a name or # I don't know) It looks like you can take that ? road to the A1 then on to another ? road. I think that this is a free/no toll road. Which route is better to take?

As Dawn points out, Shane, there are basically two itineraries up for consideration: <BR> <BR>a) A12 to Viareggio and A12/A11 to Lucca; from Lucca, A11 and A12 south to Pisa; from Pisa the S67bis to the Via Pisana (that's its name, Dawn) then east to Ponte a Elsa, S429 south to Poggibonsi, wrapping it up with S2 to Siena. Estimated nonstop driving time from Chiavari is about 3:30 hours (may be quite more if traffic is intense on Via Pisana and S429). <BR> <BR>b) A12 to Pisa; from Pisa, A12 and A11 to Lucca; from Lucca A11, A1 and S2 to Siena. Estimated nonstop driving time from Chiavari is about 3:15 hours, even if traffic is quite intense. <BR> <BR>You should allow a minimum of 7 hours for visiting both Lucca and Pisa. Route a) is more scenic than route b) because after Pisa it passes through/near some hill towns (San Miniato, Castelfiorentino, Certaldo, etc). Route b) is all Autoroute (S2 is actually a "superstrada"). <BR> <BR>Which one to take depends on the available time. By taking route a) one may "loose" some extra time stopping here and there and if traffic is heavy one has to add some more. In the average, one should allow at least 1 1/2 hours more for route a) when compared to route b). <BR> <BR>Paulo <BR> <BR> <BR>

The 7 hours minimum referred to above are meant for sightseeing ... the estimated driving times include the driving in/out of Pisa/Lucca time ... if one doesn't get lost <BR> <BR>We're talking of a total minimum allowance of 12/10,5 hours, respectively, for routes a) and b). <BR> <BR>Paulo <BR> <BR>

Paulo, <BR>Do both of those route have tolls? Which one would you suggest to take? We will be leaving from SM and going to Montalcino before we go to Pienza and want to make one stop along the way to go to lunch between Santa Margherita and Montalcino. Since it is a long drive we won't be making any major stops such as Lucca or Pisa. Thanks for the name of that road, it was driving me crazy, I must have starred at that map for a good half an hour trying to find the name.

The fastest route from SM to Montalcino is by taking the Autostrada till Florence, the S2 south. The nonstop drive would be around 4 hours. You would pay about Lit 23,000 toll. <BR> <BR>The route using the Via Pisana (to avoid crossing Pisa drive on A12 till past the Pisa Sud exit) would add some 20-30 minutes under normal traffic. You would pay about Lit 16,000 toll. <BR> <BR>Finally, you could take the first route above till Altopascio (on A11 just before Montecatini) and then south to Fucécchio and Empoli (taking the S429 from there). Under normal traffic, this would also add to some 4 1/2 hours. Toll would cost approx. Lit 18,000. <BR> <BR>If you're into gourmet eating, don't mind a splurge lunch, and you're not travelling on a Wednesday or Thursday, you may take the fast route, stop at San Casciano in Val di Pesa and experiment the La Tenda Rossa (reputed to be one of the best restaurants in Italy). One other gourmet option would be the Arnolfo in Colle di Val d'Elsa (reachable in all 3 route alternatives above; closed Tuesdays ... don't know if they serve lunch though). <BR> <BR>Paulo <BR>

It is a Thursday. Thank you so much for clearing up those routes for me!