We will be visiting Rome and the hilltowns in September late, which ones do you recommend? Why? We have a limited time and want to see the best ones. Thanks.

Orvieto - because of the beautiful cathedral, town, and caves. <BR> <BR>Assisi - because of the history, the Bascilica di San Francesco and gorgeous views. <BR> <BR>Siena - this is a good sized city actually but a must see in Tuscany. <BR> <BR>Others: Spoleto, Arezzo, Todi, Gubbio, Lucca, San Gimigano... <BR> <BR>Note: there is a great discussion of "virgin hilltowns" on www.ricksteves.com - graffiti board.

- <BR>Lynda: <BR> <BR>Planning a road trip thru Tuscany or the Umbria region? As you said that time is limited, how many days will you have to explore? <BR> <BR>If it's Tuscany, then Siena is a must-see. As Leslie said, it's larger than a town. Very charming medieval city --- certainly smaller than Rome, and larger than other towns/villages in region. <BR> <BR>Another delightful little town is Monteriggioni. It's one of Italy's best preserved walled towns.

I am still trying to decide if we will try to take in a teensy taste of "other" Tuscany as we leave Florence for Lake Garda headed to Lake Garda. It will surely depend on whether we feel like getting up getting started early (on a Saturday). <BR> <BR>If we only want to allow for a 3-4 hour stop - - are we kidding ourselves to try to "buzz in" to Siena? Is Monteriggioni a better idea? Monte San Savino? Lucca? or just forget the whole idea? <BR> <BR>I know that someone suggested that we should simply go ahead and head north, and take in Mantua (Mantova) - - but we might day trip there one day (from Garda), anyway. <BR> <BR>Any others? advice? <BR> <BR>Rex <BR>

Rex, if you want to make good use of the 3-4 hours, you might want to go to Lucca. Monteriggione is tiny and wouldn't require anything close to 3-4 hours. I think Siena is a bit much for that amount of time, although it's possible. Lucca, in my mind, is a good size for a short visit, and it's quite easy to get to. It's definitely worth a visit.

Cortona- charming and solid looking Tuscan town with much evidence of Etruscan history in its surrounding countryside, beautiful views of the valley from town, easy to get to from Florence, pleasant evening routine with local lifestyle not overwhelmed by excessive tourism <BR> <BR>Muro Lucano-from the top of hill, beautiful view of the rest of the town with ruins of old castle on the other side of town, old Roman bridge, Appian way reached this part of Lucania, extremely nice and hospitable people <BR> <BR>Pietrapertosa- impossible looking location, built into a hole in the rock in the Lucanian "Dolomites"-- gray mountains that rise straight up like the rocky peaks in some Chinese paintings, spectacular views, friendly people who are curious and welcoming toward Americans <BR> <BR>Taormina- perfectly beautiful view of the sea and Mt. Etna from the Greco-Roman theater, pretty town, great climate, lush flowers and vegetation, Sicily! <BR> <BR> <BR>

topping for Cortona info