We will be travelling to Italy in the last half of June, 2009. We live in Pittsburgh and have a $772 r/t fare available non-stop Pittsburgh to Paris. However, when we try to get it Pgh/Paris/Florence or Rome the fare goes to almost $1400 r/t.
I am thinking we might be better to book Pgh/Paris r/t and Paris to Pisa or Florence r/t separately. Seems like I get that for about $250 r/t.

Total would then be a little over $1000 (saving about $400).

We will be staying in Tuscany near Cortona.

Does this make sense? Am I off track?

Any ideas, suggestions, or thoughts?

You are right on. A rt Paris-Rome, or even Paris-Pisa will not cost you the difference of the 3 legged ticket. You could even take the night train from Paris to Rome and see some of the countryside. I don't remember if it stops in Florence, but that would be handy. If you haven't been in Rome, take a day or 2 off of each end and enjoy, then go off to the country for your Tuscan stay.
Have a great trip.
louise

Check to Milan--it sounds like USAIR to me and they do go to Milan.

And if you want to take the Artesia overnight train Paris-Florence-Paris and can get one of the super-low 39 euro fares including sleeping option you save also the cost of a hotel each way - leave Florence or Rome around 7-9pm wake up in Paris around 7-8am the next morning.

www.voyages-sncf.com for fares and booking.

Hmmm ! I did some homework and you seem to have more good options.
RT to MXP[Milan] is $1003 on Cont. and just a bit more on USAIR and Delta--all with one stop.
However, the best option is Delta via Pisa RT for $1017, but I picked dates of June 20 and June 30--they only fly into Pisa 4 days per week. Do not mess with Paris--go to Italy. From Pisa the drive is about 2 hours to Cortona. Hope this helps.

Bob: I must be a little slow (or maybe it's the days we are traveling). We are booked at a house in Tuscany to arrive on Wednesday, June 17th and departing on Sunday, June 28th, so I have been using 6/16 and 6/28. Anyway, all of my attempts seem to result in 2 stops (JFK and Paris usually). I tend to use the airline's websites.
Any thoughts?