I am planning a 2 week anniversary trip to Italy. My three key places of interest are Tuscany, Verona and Cinque Terre. The schedule is arrive in Milan and train it to Verona for two nights. Another train to somewhere to conveniently pick up the rental car(Arezzo perhaps) with a night there. Then a week touring and tasting in Tuscany with stays in Montepulciano, Montalcino, Castellina and maybe Castelnuove Ber. Drop off the car in Siena for a night or two and train to Cinque Terre. There for a few nights and return to Milan. <BR>Am I too ambitious or do the experts think this iten is OK? <BR> <BR>Many thanks, Keith.

Can't see anything wrong with it. It's "doable" with ease. In your shoes, though, I'd probably rent the car in Verona instead. Train connections from Verona to Arezzo (or Siena for that matter) are kind of awkward. It would take much less time driving nonstop. And if you drive ... you're free to stop wherever you feel like for a short visit (Mantua, Modena, Bologna).<BR><BR>Paulo<BR>

Thanks Paulo for your great input! <BR> <BR>Keith

One other issue you should consider, Keith, is your "night spending" strategy in Tuscany. Distances are small and you shouldn't worry finding yourself, say, some 40km away from "home" after dinner. Driving 30/40 minutes to "go to bed" wuldn't be a big deal. Hotel changing is nice when done with criteria and moderation IMO you shouldn't use more than 2 bases for your exploration: one south of Siena, for sure, and another one north or northeast from Siena. You should be able to have a very strong justification to add a 3rd one (like using a couple of days to explore the area near Assisi, for instance).<BR><BR>Paulo

Paulo-How about 3 nights in Montalcino and three nights in Castellina? Any hotels and trattoria we must hit? <BR> <BR>Thanks again, Keith.

This sounds fine to me. From Castellina yu may "hit" San G., Colle di Val d'Elsa, Volterra, Montiriggione and, of course, the Gallo Nero Chianti circuit (Castelnuovo Ber., Castello di Brolio, Meleto, Gaiole, Badia a Coltibuono and Radda). From Montalcino one may visit Sant'Antimo, San Quirico, Asciano, Bagno Vignoli, Monte Oliveto, Montepulciano and Pienza. Though easier out from Montepulciano/Pienza, even a visit to Orvieto is possible (3 hours round trip). <BR><BR>I've normally used Siena as a base (strong bias . Elsewhere in the area, we splurged once at the Relais &amp; Chateaux Borgo San Felice (Castelnuovo Berardenga) and another time in the city center of San G. I've therefore no recommendations for either, Castellina or Montalcino. But there are tons of recommendations in the forum. <BR><BR>Regarding restaurants, for a splurge I can recommend the follwoing:<BR><BR>Arnolfo, in Colle di Val d'Elsa (via XX Settembre, 52; tel 0577 920549, fax 0577 920549; closed 1st 10 days in August, Tuesdays and Wednesdays for lunch; reservations a must; complete dinner for 2 over $120)<BR><BR>La Tenda Rossa, in San Casciano in Val di Pesa (piazza del Monumento, 14; tel. 055 826132, fax 055 825210; closed August, Sunday and Monday for lunch; reservations a must; complete dinner for 2 over $140)<BR><BR>Relais Borgo San Felice, in San Felice (tel. 0577 359260, fax 0577 359089; reservations recommended, complete dinner for 2 over $120)<BR><BR>Vignale, in Radda in Chiati (Via XX Settembre 23 (tel. 0577 738094, fax 0577 738094; closed Thursday; Reservations a must - reserve at 0577 738300; complete dinner for 2 over $100)<BR><BR>For more "down to earth" options:<BR><BR>Badia a Coltibuono, in Coltibuono, near Gaiole in Chianti (tel. 0577 749424, fax. 0577 749031) Note: there was at least one bad review recently<BR><BR>Poggio Antico, near Montalcino (tel. 0577 849200, fax. 0577 849200)<BR><BR>La Grotta, in San Baggio near Motepulciano (tel. 0578 757479, fax 0578 757607, closed Wednesday?)<BR><BR>Paulo<BR>

Paulo-thanks again for your time and expertise.

Here's what we did in ten days in the general area you're interested in. We rented the car at the Milan airport and stayed the first night in Santa Margherita Ligure, next to Cinque Terre. Spent the next day in Cinque Terre, and night in Lucca. Lucca is worth a visit. Then drove to Castellina in Chianti where we had rented an apartment in a farmhouse. Drove to Florence, Siena, San Gimignano, Montereggione, Arezzo. I thought a bit too far from Montalcino, MOntepulciano area.

Keith, As usual,Paulo has given you super advice. For your south base camp <BR>look at Posta Marcucci or Locanda Loggiato in the tiny spa town of Bagno Vignoni. That is a great location in the middle of the places he mentions. Try to hit the Poggio Antico for great food.

Thanks to Eileen and Bob the Navigator. Bob, are the two places you mentioned to explore restaurants? <BR> <BR>Keith

Posta Marcucci has a very good rist. but it is a hotel. The Locanda Loggiato is a small cutesy B&B. You can find both on the web with a search.