Hi,<BR><BR>I will be visiting the Tuscany region on my honeymoon late October/early November. We're planning on spending 2 days or so each in Florence and in Venice, and a week travelling around Tuscany. I'm looking for ideas of places to visit; my fianc&eacute; and I tend to be outdoor/nature people, but are also interested in culture and history. We tend to prefer "off the beaten path", but yet don't want to miss any "must sees". <BR><BR>Guidebooks have suggested places like Lucca, Pisa, San Gimignano, Chianti, Sienna, etc, but they don't give a good idea of how much time should be spent in any particular place. Does anyone have any suggestions as to where we should visit? Also, we'd like to get opinions on the natural parks, such as Alpi Apuane, Maremma and Foreste Casentinesi.<BR> Thanks!<BR> Roger

Of the places you mentioned, I've been to Siena, Chianti, and San. G. <BR><BR>Siena and San Gimignano can each be done in a day. For San Gimignano, I went early in the morning when the sun was coming up and it was amazing! The alternative, if you're not an early riser, is to stay later in the evening after the buses leave and watch the sun set. <BR><BR>Highlights of Siena were the duomo and the tower (Torre del Mangia). Il Campo, the large piazza, is a good place for people watching.<BR><BR>Chianti takes as long as you want it to take. There's plently of culinary/hiking opportunities in the area (vineyards, sunflower fields, etc).<BR><BR>I would suggest staying on one of the hilltowns since you'll have nice views of the sunset in the evenings. I stayed in Siena (not a hilltown) and I got bored with it after a couple of nights.

Roger,<BR>My wife and I took a similar trip for our honeymoon two years ago. One day, we visited Parco Naturale della Maremma<BR><BR>(http://www.parks.it/parco.maremma/Eindex.html)<BR><BR>which we found utterly beautiful. It's on the Tyrrenean coast, and a bit out of the way, but worth it if you like outdoorsy things. There are trails that lead though unspoiled unbrella pine forests and olive groves, and spectacular views of the sea and beach once you reach the hills. <BR><BR>I'm sure you'll get tons of more knowledgeable suggestions on your broader questions, but I will say that we stayed outside of San Gimignano for four days, at an agritourism place, which was a perfect location from which to visit Siena, Lucca, Volterra and several other great places.<BR><BR>Have a wonderful honeymoon.

I am topping my Toscana suggestions for you.<BR><BR>I prefer to visit Toscana by picking a base and then doing day trips. I prefer to stay outside of Sna Gim or in Castellina. The countryside gets wilder as you move south so the Montalcino may be nice. Check out Slowtrav.com<BR><BR>

check out www.bassettobackpack.com

We went on our honeymoon to Greve in Chianti- we stayed in a beautiful old monestery which has been renovated into a 4 star hotel/restaurant. It is in the center of the chianti classico region, which is beautiful and the food and wine are great!! It is a place where you should take your time, there aren't many crowds in this area. It's full of beautiful views and castles, restaurants and vineyards to visit and also an hour's drive from Florence. It is probably very quiet at this time Oct./Nov. -so if you prefer lots of people, this is not the place for you!<BR><BR>Really, the best area at this time to visit is the Piedmont, because the food and wine are excellent and this time is the end of the Truffel season and there are lots of festivals, walks and natural beauty to see!

Don't forgert to check out southern tuscany. Montalcino and Pienza are must see stops. You can see them both in one day. They are both great places to stay also, and fairly close to Siena.