Italy
 

We are going to Italy in June and will spend several days in Rome, Florence and Venice. We would like to add to this itinerary and spend several days in Tuscany and the Italian Lake area. Any thoughts on where to go in this area. Also, any favorite small towns in Tuscany?
Thanks for any input.

A few years back when driving thru Tuscany we stayed in the ever popular San Gimignano at the La Cisterna . We liked that town although many day tourists. We also drove to Volterra which was nearby, less touristy. I'm interested in what other people offer you! happy travels!

Hello, kbarshat, I think some more information would help Fodorites make some suggestions for you. Will you have a rental car or will you use the trains and perhaps busses?
What are your interest and at this point what about the countryside of Tuscany (you know of course I am sure that Florence is in Tuscany) appeals to you? What lake or lakes attract you regarding the lake area? How many nights will you have in Italy, how many nights in Rome, how many nights in Florence and how many nights in Venice and consequently how many extra nights will you have available for the countryside of Tuscany and/or the lake area? And which airport will you be flying into and which airport will you be departing from? I am assuming that you do mean June 2010. Best regards.

Okay, to be more specific we will spend one night in Rome since we have both spent time there. We will then spend three nights in Florence and then two additional nights in a different town in Tuscany. We will have a car and will then go to the Italian lake area. I had been to Lake Como long ago and remember small towns that looked appealing. We will have three nights in that area. Finally we will go to Venice and spend three to four days. We depart from Milan and will stop in Madrid for two nights to visit family.
We will have a car in Italy.
I also thought of reducing the time in Florence/tuscany and seeing Cinque Terra. Any thoughts and opinions are so so welcome.

I would do this itinerary differently. I wouldn't bother with the one night in Rome unless there is something specific you want to see/do there. Upon arrival at Rome, I'd train to Orvieto, wander the town, have dinner and spend the night. Pick up the car the next day and drive to your Tuscany countryside base (2 nights). Drive to Florence, drop the car and spend 3 nights there. (If you go to Florence before the smaller Tuscany town, you'll be doing multiple backtracking.)

After Florence, I'd train to Venice for 3-4 nights and then train to Lake Como for 3 nights. From Lake Como, as long as your flight to Madrid isn't much before noon, it's a pretty easy shot to Malpensa.

If you had more than the 12-13 nights you're contemplating, then I'd agree with keeping the car for more than the time in Tuscany,