Help with Florence & Tuscany
 

I am planning my first trip to Italy end of April. I want to spend 4 days in the Tuscany region. Should I pick one place and stay all 4 days, taking day trips by car? Or move around? Any hotel recommendations?

I would opt for the "stay in one place" option...I think you will get more of a feel for the region. We stayed in an agriturismo called Metina (you can easily find their web site) & liked it very much...it's near Montipulciano. Easy to do Orvieto, Montalcino, etc. from there as day trips. Metina is in a beautiful setting; they grow olives for oil and grapes for wine. It would be difficult to do Florence as a day trip from there but it could be done.

I agree with Peggi ..stay in one place with day trips to others. The area she has mentioned was my favorite in Tuscany. I would also say do not miss Siena.I can't recommend hotels as we stayed in an apartment in Chianti.

Ladies, <BR>Thank you so much for your help. I will look for your recommendations.

I agree with the above recommendations. Would just add that there are basically two kinds of agriturismo to consider: B &amp; B style (some including dinner) and the self-catering style villa or apartment. If you are traveling along or just two of you, I'd look for a place that includes some meals in communal dining with the other guests. This greatly enhances your experience if you are the least bit social and want to have some people-experiences to go with your sightseeing experiences.<BR><BR>We stayed 4 nights at an agriturismo of this kind near a small hilltown called Citta della Pieve, right on the Tuscan/Umbrian border. It's called Madonna Della Grazie (www.madonnadellagrazie.com).<BR>We dined at one table family style with a total of about 10 guests, including our family. The host family was very nice. This was quite convenient to Montepulciano, Pienza, Arezzo, or Orvieto. We also made a day trip to Assisi. They have a pool (too cold in April) and the papa, Renato, will take you horsebacking riding on Sunday, if you like.<BR><BR>The only problem is that this is a little less conveniently located for day trips to places like San Gimignano or Lucca.

I prefer to move around so I would do two nights in a place like Montalcino and then two nights around Siena and San Gimgnano. I like to get the feel for a place in the evening and not just see a town by doing day trips.

I agree w/Debbie, I would do 2 days in S Tuscany (south of Siena) and 2 days further NE towards Lucca (Minateo?). We are going for 6 days with the first overnight in Florence, then renting a car and heading to the hills for the rest of the time. Good luck!

Suego - your thinking along the same lines as me ....<BR><BR>My husband and I are currently booked for 2 nights in Venice, 3 nights in Florence, with 3 nights left over to tour the rest of Tuscany.<BR><BR>What do you all think about this itinerary? Does it make sense to spend less time in florence and to do more day trips?<BR><BR>We'll be there end of April through early May.