Need suggestions for an itinerary or finding a good map of Tuscany for 7-10 days. We would like to include the following towns: Siena, Arezzo, Cortona, San Gimignano, Volterra, Greve, Radda (Chianti wine country), Lucca, Maremma, Montalcino, Pienza, Montepulciano, and possibly Assisi. Is this doable if we stay 1 night at San Gimignano and the balance of our time at Hotel Il Falconiere outside Cortona and at Locanda dell' Amorosa in Sinalunga? We have no idea of driving times. Any suggestions for "must see" places, special wineries, and memorable restaurants? We are planning to go end of May 2002.

Ken, That is mostly doable from 2 locations, if you drop the idea of Maremma. I would spend 3 nites near Siena and the rest near Cortona or Assisi. However, you can also do about 80% of this from the one location of Locanda Amorosa---a superb place. Let me know if you need specifics.

you can check out my web page which describes our trip to Tuscany 2 years ago. <BR>http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/5733

For a great map of the wine Chianti wine region (from Elaine): <BR> <BR>Message: For the Chianti region, there's a great, detailed map available free on the web. <BR>www.monterinaldi.it/en Click on "The Map of Chianti Classico area", fill in your name & address on the next screen, and you'll get a map in the mail in a few weeks. It's 1:80,000 in scale, <BR>so it's quite detailed. As a bonus, it shows exactly where all of the Chianti wine estates are located. <BR> <BR>DFW 7/28/01 <BR>

Bob, please give me specifics on putting together an ininerary. If we stay at Locanda dell'Amorosa for travel to most of Tuscany, can we still stay at Il Falconiere to see the rest? I don't have a feel for locations or driving distances. I've chosen these places because of the guide books and replys from other travelers on this forum. There is a restaurant in Grosseto, Da Caino, that we've been told is outstanding and the reason for travelling to Maremma, however, it may be too far to travel?? <BR>Deb, I've just ordered your map of the Chianti region. It's coming in a few days. Thanks. I'm sure that this will be a big help. It's hard to plan without knowing where to go. Steve, you've put together a beautiful web site. My wife and I are in the same position--kids are married--empty nest--wanting to travel! <BR>Thanks to everyone!!!

This past May we used the "Black Rooster" Map (the one you're ordering!) but it needs to be supplimented with a larger area map, because it only give you the Chianti country. We used Michelen maps, which you can get at Borders (or probably Amazon.com too). We really enjoyed driving around Tuscany. Only got to see Perugia and Orvietto in Umbria, but there's another reason to go back!

Thanks, Diane. I'll check out Borders for the map. Ken

Ken: <BR> <BR>I'll toss my 2 cents worth in your itinerary --- when mapping out your road trip, do consider a quick visit to Monteriggioni (it's northwest of Siena). It's one of those charming medieval walled cities --- far fewer tourists than San Gimmy, this is one of those tiny towns with not much going on --- but worth a 2-hr stop to walk up (you park about 1/2 mile outside the walls) and stroll around. <BR> <BR>I'm jealous --- only had 3 days for my Tuscan visit the past May. SO, so lovely. <BR> <BR>As for restaurants, enjoyed a tasty lunch at a small trattoria, several miles outside of Volterra. Actually it was located in a village called 'Mazzolla' --- Believe we got there just off "68" (road heading away from Volterra towards Colle di Val d'Elsa). <BR> <BR>Name of restaurant, "Trattoria Albano", Tel. 0588-39001. Closed on Martedi (Tuesdays). <BR> <BR>One food suggestion that you definitely should experience is "cinghale" (wild boar) ----- mmmmmm, that's what I ate when at the trattoria, a pasta with wild boar sauce. And it's something that you'll find which is unique to Tuscany region.

Thanks Robin. You're making me hungry! <BR>Ken

Ken: <BR> <BR>There's many wonderful culinary delights to be had throughout Italy --- admittedly I'm an Italia-phile & thoroughly prejudiced when it comes to their cuisine! <BR> <BR>Buon Viaggio! <BR> <BR>

You don't have to park at the bottom of the hill to visit Monteriggioni - there is another lot at the top of the hill. You will have to pay a small fee to the guard in the lot (5000 lira?). That's also where you'd want to park if you go there for dinner at night -- wouldn't want to have to hike downhill in the dark! There are two excellent restaurants in the town.

ken, My comment was that Locanda Amorosa would be the only feasible location to do ALL of your trip from one location. However, given 2 locations then I would stay closer to Siena, perhaps near Colle, for one base camp and then go to Il Falconiere for your base location in east Tuscany/ Umbria. I can see you are picking your destinations based on feedback on this forum, but there are SO many good places to see--and to eat--that you can be even more selective geographically. <BR>Start with a good map. Get the Michelin map of CENTRAL ITALY or the TCI map of Tuscany. The rooster map is good but too limiting. Then, think in smaller areas--one day to Volterra and San Gimignano---another day to Montalcino, Pienza, Montepulciano--and so on. Cortona is not the easiest location for day trips since it takes you :30 to get back to the main roads. You need to do your homework with a good map. I would prefer a base near Assisi for most Umbrian destinations. <BR>Contact me directly if you need specifics.

Spending some time huddled over the Michelin map will give you an idea of driving distances & even times (if the road is marked green for scenic and really twisty, it's going to take a bit longer!) I've been to most of the places you mentioned, but not on the same trips. Volterra is very interesting; a good Etruscan museum there; Assisi was better than I expected (though we visited the year before the earthquake); Pienza is a jewel; Siena is great & great for people-watching in the Campo. <BR> <BR>With 7-10 days, you might consider 3 base locations. Driving on the same winding roads, beautiful as they are, day after day, to go to different other beautiful towns, can get tiring. If you stay in 3 places, you'll cut down on the "commuting" time. <BR> <BR>If you can make it to San Gimignano in the evening, or for overnight, it's much, much better than in the daytime; few tourists then. I vote for Monteriggioni. A relaxing lunch in the outdoor dining area of one of the restaurants there is great!

My thanks to Bob, Lexma, Diane, & Robin. I plan to buy a Michelin map asap. It definitely sounds like 3 seperate locations would be better to cut down on driving time. I'll be back to the group after I've done my homework. In the meantime, would anyone have any comments/opinions on Villa Vinamaggio or Borgo San Felice? Thanks a million!!! Ken

Ken: <BR> <BR>This past June we stayed at Il Falconiere for three nights. It was <BR>so beautiful and the restaurant was outstanding. We went to Locanda dell' <BR>Amorosa for dinner and it took about <BR>30 minutes for the trip. This hotel <BR>was highly recommended by friends and our dinner there was delicious. The <BR>distances are deceiving and you might want to spread out your stops a bit more <BR>to take full advantage of all of the places that you can visit. We visited <BR>Cortona and Assisi from the base at <BR>Il Falconiere. I had been to Italy <BR>before and we stayed near Radda and were able to enjoy Greve and San Gimignano on that trip among others. <BR>Montepulciano is not to be missed! <BR>We did not intend to visit Pienza (got <BR>lost) but it was an unexpected surprise. <BR>Have a great trip. <BR>Kay

If you need to organise your trip on 'what's really (possible) to see in Tuscany over a week/fortnight', you might find - not that you'll want to do it itself - that the "Tuscan Travels" Giro that I have designed for visitors (my site - www.mulinodellopera.com then click 'Excursions') could be helpful.

Philip, Beautiful web site with great information! Thank you! Ken