Well, we have, as many of you, gone back and forth too many times to even count, on whether to go back to Italy for our 3rd time (because of the dollar). DH and I have spent so much time justifying how we could make it work (if we don’t go out to dinner or stop for that coffee we are saving money) we have come up with the term for this justification, and we now have a “just-a-vacation fund”. We all know there is no such thing as JUST a vacation, but it seems to be working, as we are actually thinking of making a few adjustments and going for it June 2010. Since we use FF miles to fly business class, we plan early so we can book our flight a year in advance.

Although this is our 3rd trip, another couple is joining us, and it is their 1st trip to Europe. The plan is to go to Italy and then France. My friend has someone in Lyon we will stay with for a few days and then we will stay in Paris 2-3 days before flying out. Our friends are thinking they will stay a total of 2 weeks but will add some days if they need to. DH and I are going earlier, starting in Sicily, where we have never been, and then meeting up with our friends somewhere in Central Italy. So here is where I need help. The only place my friend knows of that she wants to go is to the Cinque Terre. We have never been there, so sounds good to us. We have stayed at the agriturismo Malvarina twice and while it is our FAVORITE place, I am thinking perhaps we should try a different agriturismo centrally located in Tuscany to do some day trips. We loved Pienza and would like to go back there, but would also like to go to Orvieto and spend a couple of nights in Florence. Considering I don’t like spending less than 3 nights in one spot, I am driving myself crazy !! So, wise travel planners, I have provided my own justification, at least for today, now I need your help putting this together !

t

You have some pretty specific questions buried in this (like which agriturismo in Tuscany) but your title doesn't give a clue what info you are seeking.

<i>Help with &quot;Just-A-Vacation&quot;</i> could be asking anything about anywhere in Europe.

I would start a new thread w/ a title that spells out what you want to know.

Agree. What is it you want to know?

Thanks for helping me get to the specifics. Let me try again, and perhaps I will re-post and you can help with a new title.

We have about 10 days in Central Italy with friends before going on to our final destination which is France. 3 nights will be in the Cinque Terra (place to be determined later) and 3 nights in Florence (we always stay at Hotel Casci and will do it again. Right now I am trying to figure out where to stay for the other 4 days. Our heart is in Malvarina, but my mind tells me to try another agriturismo in Tuscany which offers the same kind of magic that Malvarina, in Assisi, has (simple accomodations and fabulous meals cooked by Maria). We would like to go to Orvieto for a day trip, but also loved Pienza.

Apparently, as I write this, I am asking for help with those 4 nights. Does that help?

Hi travel,

My first question is: if this is your 3rd Italy trip and you have visited Florence on both previous trips - why not go somewhere completely NEW? Sure, Florence is great, but Italy has so much to offer!

I think I would look for an agritourismo that fits your criteria in southern Tuscany, around the Pienza area. Lots of wonderful choices.

Or, how about the Piedmonte region? Or, the lakes, or the Dolomiti?