Flying in and out of Milan the 1st. 2 weeks in Oct. with trips planned to The Lakes area, Venice, Florence, Siena, the Italian Riviera. Any suggestions of hotels, car rental places, must-see cities would be very much appreciated. Thank you!

My latest discovery in northern Italy is Bassano del Grappa. I am not sure that you should bother with Italian Riviera. I have stopped in San Remo, with the purpose of dropping off an Italian car rental to take the train across to Nice, and resume a French car rental. Unless youy are going to France (or maybe up into the Piemonte), I don't think there is much reason to take in this part of Italy. <BR> <BR>You already have enough to fill a month, just with Venice/Veneto, Lombardia/the lakes and Florence/Siena/Tuscany. <BR> <BR>Best wishes, <BR> <BR>Rex

Be sure to read our Italy, Fall 1998, travelogue before settling on your itinerary. http://www.thetravelzine.com/italy4.htm

None of the places you mention are "car friendly". I would recommend using the trains.

We made this exact trip (almost, we arrived there from Switzerland, passing through the Alps) 2 years ago. I could email to you all the hotels/B&B we stayed at, if you email me to the above address, which is my office, where I still keep all that info. <BR>Generally speaking, traveling with a car is the best way to really enjoy it, as long as you are a good, experienced driver, 'cause the Italians are nuts... they drive fast like there is no tomorrow, and they are very good drivers. But, and especially on the side road, which are extremely narrow, they will tailgate you, and almost force you to move aside and let them pass. On expressways (Autostradas) don't even think of driving on the left lane, which is strictly for passing (I which police enforced this existing law here in the US too). These Italians don't drive, they FLY. <BR>Have fun. AMIK.

amik: Thank you for all the help with our Northern Italy trip. I 'm not sure how to get your e-mail address from this forum, so here is mine. [email protected]. Any help would be appreciated. Carol M. <BR>