Hi!

We think we came up with our plan but need suggestions. We have 11 days in Italy.

2 nights in Venice
2 nights in cinque terre
1 night in florence
take bus to siena
4-5 nights in Tuscany
take bus back to florence
Fly home from Florence

Our problem is this: we know we want to rent a car to explore Tuscany. I've done some research and this is what I believe would work : take the bus from florence to siena. Then rent a car in Siena.

Is Siena a good base to travel to the different wine regions? We would only stay there for a night, then head to different bed and breakfasts in the various regions. What regions are in close proximity to siena?

I hope I make sense and in need of some serious help! Thanks!

I would pick up the car as you are leaving CT (in La Spezia) and leave Florence at the end of the trip (no point in going twice). You can travel south from CT and visit either the Chianti region or further south to sample Brunellos in Montalcino (south of Siena) or the Montepulciano wines. I would return the car to Siena after visiting the areas of Tuscany, spend the night and bus to Florence for the last night or two.

Hi cpray,

really i feel that your plan is a bit bitty. even if you have booked your B&B/s, it will take valuable time finding them, settling in, etc. etc. much better IMHO to pick a spot which is central to your area of interest, and use it as a base for touring. there is a recent thread where an agriturismo in Greve was recommended, and of course there is always Siena, which i like very much as a base, as it's relatively easy to get in and out of, and there are plenty of restaurants there which means that you don't have to worry about which of you is going to drive home - an important consideration if you are both wine-lovers.

also, i would question your inclusion of the CT. you don't say what time of year you are travelling, but two nights there really only gives you one day - it's a long way to go just for that.

if you cut it out, you get a much more logical itinerary:

Day 1 - fly into venice. stay 2 nights.
day 3 - train to Siena. pick up car. Tour Tuscany. stay in Siena or????
day ? - 9 - return car. train or bus to Florence. stay Florence
Day 11 - fly home.

this puts all your nights in florence in one block which is a more efficient use of your time than splitting it in two. it also gives you time to spend an extra night in venice if you want to.

you need to do some research into what tuscan wine regions you are interested in. Chianti is of course the obvious one.

I like Ann's plan---drop the CT from this trip, but I would stay 3 nites in Venice since day one is a near loss.
Venice--3
Tuscany--5
Florence--2
That is a nice trip.

Great minds, Bob.

I second (or rather third) Bob's plan. Gives you just the right amount of time in each.

I like the plan as well though I would want at least one more day in Florence.

I would make your plan focused on your personal interests. That is to say, if you want to see le Cinque Terre, see it, If you are interested in wine, don't put yourself in the position of having to drive after wine tastings or dinner. A lot of amateur trip planners who post on Fodor's get caught up in the "beauty" of the logistically efficient trip while they throw the content of the entire trip out the window.

In addition, many people on this board have a near-neurotic fear of changing hotels or taking road trips. But if you are planning a wine-oriented trip through Tuscany, your original plan is sound. But I do think putting your time in Florence at the end makes sense.

Therefore:

2 nights in Venice
2 nights in le cinque terre
PICK UP CAR IN LA SPEZIA
4-5 nights in Tuscany
Drop of car in Siena.
Use public transportation to Florence (or Pisa).
Fly home from Florence (or Pisa).

PS: I wanted to add that if you could care less about le Cinque Terre, or are traveling in winter-spring, or really just want to have a simplified trip, I'm not suggesting you stick to your original plan or ignore alternate suggestions. Just realize the best trip to take is the one that meets your personal interests, not the neat formula package.