My wife and I will be renting a car in Siena, Italy in early May. We will have the car for four days and return it at the airport in Milan. Any suggestions of where to go or what to see would be appreciated. Is it worth the trip to the lake regions or should we just stay along the coast. Since we only have four days I do not want to be rushed. We are not planning on spending any time in Milan since we will already have spent time in Munich,Venice and Florence. We usually like to see some countryside after our city tours. I appreciate any information on restaurants, hotels or attractions, since I am not familiar with the area. I do understand that the Tuscan countryside is very beautiful. I also understand that Pisa is somewhat of a tourist trap. We would prefer some out of the way romantic stops over tourist traps.

Check Fodor's Exploring Florence and Tuscany. It has maps of wonderful drives through Tuscany.We have used this three times , once based in Sienna and twice based in San Gimignano( a tourist trap, but wonderful in the evening and early morning when there are no crowds). <BR>Rocca d'Orcia ,Volterra,Abbazia di Monte Oliveto Maggiore,Abbazia di Sant'Antimo, Bagno Vignoni are all very interesting.

Two weeks ago, we stumbled upon La Badia just outside Orvieto. We stayed there for, regrettably, only one night. It is a 6th-13th century monastery on beautiful grounds. See my earlier posts or email me for more details. I would stay there without hesitation for a week or two!

Also check the latest hosted forum-on Tuscany, and packed with superb responses to questions such as yours.

you really want a little of romantic Tuscany. What about San Gimingano? Bella, bella!

Hello. A very good web-site ragarding accomodation and eating in Tuscany is:http://www.traveleurope.it/biniviaggi/index.html Among that places, I suggest, long the way to Milan: Antica Taverna Casagrande in Figline Valdarno. Castello di Spaltenna in Gaiole (30 Km from Siena) and Villa Casanova in Balabano (very near Lucca another beautiful town). Check their web.sites. Have a nice time !! <BR>