How does this sound for a brief (unfortunately) 8-day trip? Too much, too little, anything missing? All comments appreciated! Thanks.<BR><BR>Day 1-3 Florence (3 nights)<BR>Day 4 Collodi/Lucca (overnight Lucca)<BR>Day 5 Volterra/San Gim (overnight Siena)<BR>Day 6 Siena (overnight Siena)<BR>Day 7 Montalcino/Orvieto/Todi (overnight Spoleto)<BR>Day 8 Spoleto/Montefalco/Spello/Assisi (overnight Florence)<BR>

Re: Day 5. This might be too much in one day. Since you are coming from Lucca you would probably hit San Gim first and by the time you park and look around it will be a few hours. Then you have about an hour's drive to Volterra, park and look around is bringing you to late afternoon if you rush through these towns, the road between them is a two lane and may be backed up, too.<BR>Then to get to Siena is another long trek on back roads.<BR>I would skip one town or stay in one for the night and not try to get to Siena, unless you want to arrive late at night.

I think we found a road that will take us from Lucca to Volterra. We would then go to San Gim and arrive late in Siena (seeing it the next day). Thanks!

Good. Park in the underground lot in Volterra, then take the two laner to San Gim. This way you can have dinner in San G. and then mosey on over to Siena using the autostrada if you need to.

Day 7 and 8 seems very rushed.I personally think that if you can't take more time go to fewer places.Whole day in Montalcino,take a tour of a vineyard etc. relax have lunch etc.RR

Message: Thanks for all of your input! How's this revised itinerary?<BR><BR>Day 1-3 Florence<BR>Day 4 Lucca<BR>Day 5 Volterra/San Gim<BR>Day 6 Siena<BR>Day 7 Orvieto/Todi<BR>Day 8 Spoleto/Spello (return to Florence)<BR><BR>More do-able? Or have I eliminated the wrong towns? Thanks again!<BR><BR>

Your revised itinerary is much better. In response to your inquiry about whether you've eliminated the wrong towns, it would depend who answers the question! We all have our favorites. I might suggest that perhaps you do a little more research and adjust accordingly. <BR>I can relate to what you're going through. Most of us don't get to this area for a long-enough period to cover everything we want to see. I remember during our planning, I kept refining and refining and refining (and eliminating) elements of our itinerary!

Your new one looks alot better, now just settle into what you have chosen and seek out sights, restaurants, etc. and pick out what you would like to do in each place. Make notes in a memo pad and that way you can do what you have looked up or change your plans if something else comes up.<BR>Have you started looking for hotels yet? Try charmingitaly and venere for starters. Happy planning!

For hotels, here are my current selections<BR>Day 1-3 (Florence, Hotel Savoy)<BR>Day 4 (Lucca, Palazzo Alexander)<BR>Day 5-6 (Sienna, Grand Hotel Continental)<BR>Day 7 (Spoleto, Hotel San Luca)<BR>Day 8 (Florence, Hotel Savoy)<BR>flying out of Florence Day 9<BR><BR>Any comments on these choices? I got some good deals on the more expensive places using the Internet and going off-season (March). Thanks again!

I love your hotel choices--just not having to move every other day. Have fun--you picked some great places.

Thanks, Bob. I appreciate your input. I agree packing/unpacking is no fun but we are trying to avoid having to backtrack on the trip. What is your opinion of Lucca? Should I omit it in favor of more time in Umbria? Thanks.

Personally, I felt the loss of Assisi to be a big gap in your revised itinerary even though I agree you were originally too rushed on Day 8.I am a big fan of the towns of Umbria and we spent two weeks ther last year with a base just outside of Assisi. Montelfaco is very lovely and relatively untouristed and makes a nice balance with the breathtaking but frenetic Assisi. <BR><BR>Did you say what time of year? Umbria is a great place to be anytime but August when all the Italians visit their own hillside Umbrian towns and they get crowded: otherwise they are much less busy than Siena and San Gim. and the other Tuscan equivalents.

We are going in mid-March. Not sure what the countryside will be like then, so we are sticking to the towns.