I am 11 days into a fabulous Italy excursion and I am looking for some advice, quickly!
I spent 5 days in Florence, which I enjoyed, then on to 3 days in Siena which I found to be surprisingly unfriendly and overwhelmingly busy (probably tuckered out from the craziness of Florence as well) then I continued on to Montalcino which I LOVED, I loved the quiet, the beauty, the restaurants, the wine, the locals. Definitely had tourists but was not overrun with a tourism industry. Currently I am in Vernazza and I will have three days that are free until my last 2 days in Florence. I am considering renting a car and heading back to Montalcino unless I can figure out a stop on my way to Florence that may have some of the quaint charm of Montalcino(possibly Lucca) I have a suitcase FILLED with Brunello that makes it difficult to switch trains too many times and I dont want to waste a whole day on travel but I would prefer to travel via train if possible.
I would love any opinions or ideas, thank you.

Train to www.lucca.info then La Spezia

into the www.cinqueterre.com www.torrettas.com Manarola

or at SML/Portifino station 1 block downhill from station

You do not even need a taxi...

www.metropole.it my fav 120 eu/nt for a sea view

Easy acess to all towns from there by boat or train

and a WONDERFUL hotel in that area have stayed there

at least 5 times better than the other places cheaper too.

Happy Travels!

Head for LUCCA!

I agree, Lucca.
Have lunch at Buca di San Antonio.

Lucca one of finest old walled medieval looking cities in Italy - and for something different if going by car head to Collodi (sp?) home of Pinnochio with lots of Pinnochio themed stuff. Pisa of course could be a short stop to see the Leaning Tower en route - if want to go up it make a reservation online or wait for hours.

jessabella,

The combination of a heavy suitcase and a yen to return to Montalcino would make me rent a car as soon as possible and head back to the area of Montalcino. Lucca is a small city the size of Siena, and while it gets far fewer tourists than Siena and is beautifully preserved, most people take a half-day trip there. Also, it's not a hilltown, and while it has enjoyable views from its walls into the city and including the nearby mountains, it is not the landscape of Southern Tuscany. (Nor is the wine particularly good. Food is better than Siena).

If you end up deciding to forego a car and head to Lucca, some small towns of charm nearby include Pistoia and Montecantini Alta. (By the way, Lucca isn't "medieval-looking". I suspect most people would say it is Renaissance-looking, but the more important point is that i "looks" old because it is. And speaking of "old," for many years running, there have been persistent reports that the Pinocchio park for kids is a shabby mess.)

I'd go up to Santa Margharita Ligure (where we were married, so I'm prejudice) and choose the less expensive Hotel Mediterreano. From there you can take day trips to Portofino (crowded as it will be during this time of year), Camogli and perhaps a day in Genoa itself.

I agree that Lucca is a lovely town. We stayed for a week just put side the walls, rented a car, and took some lovely drives.

(FYI: if everyone had said don't go to Lucca, zeppole would say absolutely do go.)