We're about to go to the Tuscany Region and plan to stay several days in Florence, Cortona, and Greve in Chianti. We plan to take day trips to Lucca, Pisa, San Gimignano, Siena, Montalcino, & maybe Orvieto. Does anyone have recommendations on things we just "can't miss" as well as thoughts on the day trips we've chosen? Also, do you think it is too much to go to Cinque Terre too? We'll be going for a total of 10 days.

while in Greve go the Cantina - oh my do they have a lot of wines and the set up is fun - you can sample any you like before purchasing. Also make a reservation at Castello di Spaltenna in Gaiole for dinner, its marvelous.<BR><BR>As for Lucca and Pisa, you can fit those into the same day trip, Pisa will atke 2 hours max and while in Lucca if you like gardening see the amazing villas ont he outskirts of town.<BR><BR>Montalcino is beautiful, try and time your visit so you can see the antimo abbey while you are there, and make sure you get to hear the monks chant!<BR>Just eat and drink as much as you want, you will walk it all off!

i am planning a tuscany trip and high on my list is hearing the monks at the abby antimo but cannot find out a schedule of the times they chant .... the few i do find( books, websites) all differ....can you help? thank you

Linda, my wife suggests that you go to the Uffizi museum in Florence. Be sure to buy a gold braclet at the Gold Corner near Santa Croce Church.You have PLENTY scheduled. Don't try to crunch in to much or you won't enjoy yourself. You'll be to busy rushing from one thing to another.All of the places you have scheduled are great!We spent almost four weeks in Tuscany,ment to get to Cinque Terre( per advice from our granddaughter) but never made it. Too much to see and do !!!!!Have a good trip.

I have just spent a few days in an area that I didn't know: Monte Amiata. Amiata is a mountain in the southern area called Maremma near the border with Lazio (the region with Rome). The coast of Maremma has some beautiful beaches and seaside areas, but this mountain is incredible. it used to be the poorest part of Tuscany and until a few decades ago it was still basically a mining area. Of all the places I have been to, in particular I suggest to visit Santa Fiora and Pitigliano.<BR>Santa Fiora is a medieval village of stone houses clustered on the side of the mountain. Cars can only getto a few of the largest streets, while most of the village has streets both too seep and too narrow for them, you will have to walk or even climb stairs to get around. The ouses are build with the same stone that also pave the street, and often enough stone projections can be seen at the foot of the walls or even using up part of the floor area of the rooms. The old part of the illage is crowned by a castle, beyond which there is the modern part of the village, of little interest. On the other side, in the lowest part of the village, there is a medieval "pescheria", a large water "tub". During the middle age meat was forbidden on several days, and this is where the people of Santa Fiora got their fish from. Now the pescheria has been turned into a park. Right beside it there is an ancient church whose floor hid wlowing waters. THese water courses have been rediscovederd during a recent manutentiuon of the church, and are now visible through a glass floor.<BR>Pitigliano is not far from Santa Fiora, and althoough slightly more touristy, it is still charming. The village has been built on a tall tuff hill. As you drive there, you will sudendly see it appear in the middle of the landscape, with the housesthat look to grow right out of the stone. The village, not unlike Orvieto, has large underground areas, excavated into the tuff, an interesting jewish area (with a still working temple and a jewish bakery that produces the delicius "sfratti", a pastry made of a bread crust filled with honey and nuts of several kinds. Also, two incredibly tall arches that used to be part of an ancient acqueduct (build some 5 centuries ago) can still be seen right at the entrance of the village. I have taken photos of both villages, and someday I will put them on-line, for now content yourselves with my description.