Have you already booked your accommodation in both places as , if not, I would have to side with the people who suggest that you would save a couple of days by not splitting your time between StTropez and Tuscany but choosing one base or two places closer together.

We've visited Siena many, many times (12-15). And Lucca twice. We visited both last year when we spent 4 nights in Lucca & 2 weeks in the Val d'Orcia (just south of Siena). We love Siena (more than Florence, actually) and Lucca exceeded our expectations.

Stu Dudley

A few years ago, my husband and I rented a car in Lyon and visited our daughter who was studying in Grenoble. We then carried on to the south of France for a few nights before driving on to Cinque Terra for a few days and then on to the Tuscany region. I recall the drive from Nice to Cinque Terra had many tunnels but also great views of the coastline and do not recall it as being an unfortunate drive. After a week in Tuscany we drove back to Grenoble which took several hours again which we did not find onerous or unpleasant. Much depends on your view of driving - if you like to drive or like road trips then chances are you will find it enjoyable.