Hi, Fodorites, <BR>My husband and I are going for 2 weeks to Italy in June. Plan to cover Florence (5 days), Venice (about 4 days), and would love to visit some of the villages/hilltowns in Tuscany and Chianti regions. Although I am sure that anything in that region is spectacular, I have trouble coming up with concrete itenerary for 4-5 days. We enjoy hiking and look for authentic italian country-side experience. Also, should we drive from Florence to Venice and see cities in route, or just take a train there?

We love Italy, and especially tuscany. <BR>I suggest you check out the trip we made which can be found on my web site. <BR>here's the URL - <BR>http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/5733

Ally, If you like hiking you might want to consider Cinque Terre if you haven't already. Lovely little towns and great hike. I would just do a search here on Tuscany or pick up a book on the subject. I would say San Gmignano and Siena are a good place to start and then just fill in with smaller towns. <BR> <BR>On the train question I would probably suggest the train until you are ready to head into Tuscany.

Thanks for advice. <BR> I thought about Cinque Terra but it's sort of out of the way, and I don't want to spend any extra time driving/getting from place to place. Any other suggestions?

Ally, I assume you are driving in the area. If correct I would suggest staying at Hotel Villa San Paolo which is quite close to San Gimignano. <BR>We stayed ther for three days last year and found it lovely. Not too expensive, nice breakfast but no restaurant for other meals. Plenty of restaurants nearby. You can get info/pictures/rates etc. by visiting www.sangimignano.com then clicking on various subjects including something like hotels or where to stay. (You will find it)You can also e-mail them at <BR> [email protected] <BR> <BR>Enjoy your visit --- we certainly did. <BR>Richard <BR> <BR> <BR>

Ally, <BR>5 days in Florence is a lot. I mean it is a great city and all, but I wouldn't devote 4 or 5 nights to it. As for Tuscan hilltowns, Siena and Lucca are wonderful and both are quite close to Florence. San Gimngnano is great, but a favorite among tour groups and so it will be more crowded. Siena is of course well known too, but few stay within the city walls overnight and though the rooms are limited, it really is worth it. Siena is unique. Medieval, steeped with traditions and never will you see community at its best like in Siena.You're almost gauranteed to witness a district celebration while visiting. Also the best Campo in Italy. <BR>Lucca is much less traveled than San Gim. It is close to Florence and is very village like. The old city wall is still there and it is a park that locals walk, picnic and bike around.One of the piazzas is a remnant from the old Roman Amphitheater. <BR>As for the Cinque Terra. If you can swing it, I wouldn't miss it. Perhaps 3 nights in Venice, 3 in Florence, 2 in the Cinque Terra and then down to Siena or Lucca, (the itinerary I followed). If you do decide on the Cinque Terre don't stay in Monta Rossa, stay in one of the other 4 towns.They are smaller and much more picturesque. Vernazza has a beach to swim at. The Cinque Terre would be a great excape after the crowds of Venice and Florence. <BR>Enjoy! <BR>Betsy <BR>

I took a similar trip last summer. Five days is a long time in Florence. I second the suggestion of Cinque Terre; I drove from Cinque Terre to Florence in less than three hours last summer. It really isn't so "out of the way," and it is a place which must be seen to appreciated. You would love it! <BR> <BR>For great pictures of Cinque Terre, go to corbis.com and enter "Cinque Terre" under search. They have about 25 profession photographs that really give you a sense of the place. The villages are really great, and the hikes are a true memory. <BR> <BR>Deborah

I agree with Betsy above. Shorten Florence unless you just would love to spend 4 days in museums. I thought 2 days was enough. Cinque Terre is the best. You can take the train in the morning to one end (of the 5 towns) to the other and then hike back. The hike is more difficult on the Monterosso end. The views can not be beat. One of our favorite experiences in all of Europe. <BR>Regarding the Tuscany region, I would definitely try to drive through that area. I think you miss a lot otherwise. We rented a car in Florence and returned it in Rome. Outside of a small town named Gubbio we found a great agri-tourismo. It is a restored farmhouse that rents out rooms. The room and food were fabulous, we wished we had parked it there for a couple of days as homebase while we explored the area. Wherever you end up, I would consider an agri-tourismo.

Hello Ally, Lots of good options, but I would spend 3 days each in the 2 cities and the rest of your time in both Tuscany AND Umbria. You will need a car to do justice to the hill towns. But, drop the car and train to Venice. I would use 2 base locations for your time in the country--one near Siena and the other near Assisi. Let me know how much help you may need. You will love the small villages.

I just read Betsy's reply to my husband and he thought I had written it because we totally agree with her except for staying in Monterosso. We spent 2 nights there.We took the train to Riomaggiore and spent the day hiking back to Monterosso. We have done this twice. It is one of our best memories of Italy. We also agree with the advice on Siena and San Gimignano. So unless you really like museums we say "Get to the country side!!"

I would highly recommend the Hotel Residence San Sano. It's just a 20 minute drive north of Siena on the Chianti highway. My friend & I thought we had gone to heaven. It is in the tiny village of San Sano and we both agreed it was paradise. It's in Fodor's Italy Country Inns of Charm... <BR> <BR>Also, we enjoyed the Cinque Terra hike, but it was hot & humid even in May. Recommend starting EARLY! And wear a hat!

Thanks, everyone for your input. I will definately look into the hotels you have mentioned--it all sounds lovely. It looks like our itinerary has solidified somewhat--so it's: <BR>Venice (3 days), train to <BR>Florence (4 days, or 3 days plus day trip to Lucca, or Cinque Terre) <BR>Then on to Chianti (1 day)arive to hotel/agrotourismo in the vacinity of Siena a <BR>the rest of vacation(5 days) to leasurely explore the Crete and environs of Pienza (Montalcino, Montepulciano. Is our itinerary too ambitious? <BR>We are thinking of having Siena hills as our base for Tuscany. Can any recommend nice agrotourismo in the area? Looking for special romantic retreats. <BR>

While Venice is unique and spectacular, many people say that the canals do give off a strong odor in the summer. I just returned this last week and because it is still late winter, we didn't have the problem. Also, note that you will have no use for a car. In fact, it will cost money to park it while you take a water taxi to visit the city. <BR> <BR>If possible, I would suggest adding a stop on the northern lake region. Lake Como and the surrounding area is beautiful.

I agree with the above. We stayed in the northern lakes region for 4 days a few years ago and loved them. We will be visiting them again this year on our trip. We also will be going to Venice this trip for the first time for a couple of days and I would love to go by train but I have a husband to please and he will not be without a car. So we will be lodging outside of Venice.

hi ally, <BR> <BR>you should take the train to venice, its much smother. To find nice inn's etc in the tuscan countryside i do recommend you to visit: http://www.tuscany.net, they have the most comprehensive website online talking about accommodations in tuscany. <BR> <BR>good luck! <BR>bea