We're heading to Italy on Nov.3(we'll be there for 9 days), and would love to hear from you on accomodations, stunning views/walks, and fabulous restaurants! <BR> <BR>We'll be focusing on the Northwest...Cinque Terre and the Ligurian coast. We'd like to see Orvieto and Assisi, too, and everything in between (no small task, we know). <BR> <BR>Please let us know what you think! Thanks for your help. Look forward to hearing from you <BR>soon! <BR> <BR>Cheers, <BR>Lauren & John

Lauren. <BR>I returned 10 days ago from Italy where we stayed in Tuscany in a villa. <BR>We had a car and visited the Cinque Terre, and the area around Lucca. <BR>As I could ramble on for an hour, feel free to email me if you would like specifics on where to go. Denise <BR>

We spent 2 weeks in Italy last year. In Orvieto we stayed at the Hotel Duomo just off of the main square. We had a decent room without bath for ~L51,000. From Orvieto we took a bus to Bagnoregio and then walked ~30 minutes to Civita. There is also a bus that runs hourly from Bagnoregio to the footbridge to Civita. If you're not familiar with Civita go to ricksteves.com and check out his "Back Doors" listed under Italy. It was wonderful, the village did not look like it had changed much in hundreds of years. One of the old women showed us the inside of the church and another showed us her centuries old olive press. The TI in Orvieto will have the bus schedule to Bagnoregio. <BR> <BR>On the Cinque Terre we stayed in Vernazza (my favorite town of the 5). We rented a very nice room from the Trattoria Gianni for ~L100,000 with an awesome bathroom. The building had recently been renovated. Everywhere we ate in Vernazza had wonderful food. The pesto there is out of this world. We really liked a restaurant on the harbor, between the Gianni and the castle, I can't remember the name though. <BR> <BR>We spent one night in Assissi. We stayed at the Hotel La Fortezza. We had a nice room there with bath for ~L90,000. The hotel is maybe 50 yards up from the Piazza del Commune. <BR> <BR>Feel free to email me if you have any questions or need any more information on hotels, etc. <BR>Anna <BR>PS: If you don't have Rick Steves Italy, make sure you get it before you go!!

For a 9 day timespan I suggest that you focus on a few places. You aren't going to hit "everything" for sure! <BR> <BR>I second the suggestion that you consult Rick Steves, though he is little help for Umbria (Assisi/Orvieto). If you are doing a once over lightly tourist itinerary I think you can get away with a single night in Orvieto and in Assisi. You won't be able to see the Giotto frescoes due to the earthquake 2 years ago in Assisi, but I would visit regardless. The lower basilica is undamaged and wonderful. The views from outside the basilica (and elsewhere) are unparalleled! I visited Assisi and Spoleto at about this time in 1995, so it is a good time. One night will do it. <BR> <BR>In Tuscany I recommend at least two stops, Florence and Siena. In Frlorence find a pallazzo south of the Arno (consult Rick Steves) and stay for 2 nights. The first place to go is the Piazza della Signora (see the Uffizi gallery if you see nothing else)! In approximate order after that are the Bargelo, the Massacio frescoes in the church south of the Arno, and the Bapistry doors. The Duomo and it's museum, the Accademia Gallery (David), and the Pitti Palace come about equal after that. The David is superlative but the rest of the Accademia disappointing. The Pitti is an excellent art musuem but cannot approach the Uffizi. If you don;t have the time dump them. <BR> <BR>In Siena spend a night near the main Piazza and walk around, have espresso, whatever. The piazza is really great. Definately see the Duomo there, and the art museum is interesting. But in Siena the real interest is the town itself! <BR> <BR>If you have a chance stop over in Pisa and spend a couple hours at the Piazza del Miracoli (the Duomo, Bapistry, and Leaning Tower, the Bell Tower). Pisa cathedral (Duomo) is one of the most beautiful in Europe! <BR> <BR>Lucca is a beautiful old city well worth a night over. <BR> <BR>I can't help you with the Cinque Terra or Liguria. Friends tell me that Genoa is not to be missed, however!

Definitely make some time for Cinque Terre on the Ligurian coast, it is breathtakingly beautiful and a great walk between the 5 villages. You really need to spend at least 2 nights there so that you can get up early one morning and hike from village to village. All you need is comfortable walking shoes and carry some water. You don't need to carry any food as you will stop in the first village for morning tea, next one for lunch etc. and this way you'll get to sample the wonderful local food and drink. Once you have reached the last village and looked around, you can catch the milk train back to the village where you started, or as is my preference, you can take the ferry. As you will have viewed the land-to-sea aspect on your hike, the ferry gives you the sea-to-land aspect and you gain appreciation of the quaint villages and beautiful terraced hills, grape vines etc. I have eaten in lots of the local restaurants and each one seems better than the last! The local Cinque Terre wine and the pesto combined with achingly beautiful views - you'll think you're in heaven! You are very wise to focus on one area for your nine days, buon viaggio!

Do not miss Orvieto! A small hillside village famous for the following: 1. Magnificient cathedral 2. Hand painted ceramics 3. Orvieto <BR>Classico wines 4. Etruscan art and tombs and 5. A great respite from Roma. This place is quiet, quaint and a great place to visit. Try eating at the Trattoria Etruscan. I can hghly recommend the pasta with wild boar...and of course a caraffe of Orvieto Classico.

Sounds awesome. WE just got back and I want to go again, right now. Cinque terre is beautiful. The hike takes a while so plan to have at least one full day for just that. The hike is breathtaking and the towns all have such character. In Tuscanny, please don't miss San Giminana (I think I spelled it wrong) anyway, there are wonderful places to eat and it is a great little town that is enclosed by walls up on a hill which lends itself to breathtaking views. Don't miss the wine bar. The owner is a gem. E mail me if you have any other questions.. Have fun.

<BR>Lauren, <BR> <BR> We left for Italy on Nov. 4 flew into Malpensa airport for 22 days <BR>rented a car let me know how your <BR>trip was