I was in Lecce in january - took a night train there from Rome - nice town but not a whole lot to do - really neat old town with wonderful architecture but nice little day trips like to the city near Bari with all those weird houses - can't think of name - but you can take a train from Bari there (a non Trenitalia train) - and Bari is a great shopping mecca for the region. Brindisi is surprisingly a very pleasant town and Taranto, well, the area around the train station is dismal and slummy but the old town sticking out into the sea is worth the trek

all easy train rides from Lecce

If you look up the transit time, the shortest trip from Lecce to Assisi is 9:35 with 2 changes. For me, that is just a miserable day.

It will take 3:30 to get from Assisi to Siena, and at least 4:30 hours to get from Siena to Venice.

If you really want to take the train, I would contemplace taking a direct (no changes) train to Bologna (7 1/2 hours), spend a 2 nights there, 2 nights in Verona, 3 nights Venice and go directly to Salzburg from there (or just spend 5 nights in Venice).

Both Assisi and Siena are on secondary train lines, so it makes getting to or leaving from either very time consuming.

PalenQ - I should be more specific. I am going to be in Otranto, I take the train to Lecce and then the school provides transportation for me from the station to my apartment in town.

The little town with the funny buildings is Alberobello - the buildings are called trulli. I plan to go for a day or so on the weekend while at the school.

If you were going to be headed to Asissi what direction would you go in and what town would you choose to spend the night in?

lovisa - thank you for the feedback again and the suggestions. I appreciate all your time on my trip .

I am planning on staying someplace between Lecce and Assisi... for one night. That in and of itself is a bit miserable.

I thought of renting a car in Lecce but am scared to drive alone with just dd and I. I thought I could keep it from Lecce to Venice and turn it in there...

I haven't been to either place, but if you want to train up the Adriatic Coast to Assisi, then I would think Pescara or Ancona would make the most logical stopping places.

I would not encourage you to rent a car. Driving in Italy can be pretty stressful because the driving style is extremely aggressive. Everybody tailgates. And when you get somewhere, it can be difficult to find a place to park. I think it would only add to your stress level.

I encourage you to read Bob the Navigator's notes on European Trip Planning on the Slow Travel site:
http://www.slowtrav.com/europe/bob_planning.htm

I love Bob's website and often read Slowtravel (yes, I know I am not exactly traveling slowly!)

I figured as much with the car and did not want to add stress. I really wanted to see those two towns though - Saint Francis of Assisi is intriguing to me. And having been (and loved) Florence I wanted to see Siena on this trip.

I was hoping after 14 plus days in one town we would be ready for a little more movement and then slow it down a bit with 3 nights in Salzburg, 4 in Munich and 3 in London.

Why Hotel Auersperg?

Because it is near yet far enough from the main drag. We can go to the Old Town by a mere 10-minute walk and if the tourists and activities become too much, we can retreat to this sanctuary easily. I also like the brightness (I hate dark hotel rooms!!) and the clean look of their rooms, but most of all, I have heard and read about the staff - efficient, friendly and will go out of their way to help!!

Joy thank you! That sounds exactly up my alley.

I always have to ask as what works for one might not for another.

I will inquire.

I have realized I can stay for free at BestWesterns as well and have read they are far different in Europe then here - so I am checking into those options as well.

There's a Best Western right smack in the middle of the Old Town - Hotel Elefant. Actually it was a tossed up between Elefant and Auersperg for us. The location and convenience of Elefant is unbeatable.... my only concern was possible noise factor, which may or may not be an issue after all.

Good Luck!

hummm..noise factor is a factor. Both dd and I are light sleepers.

I did look it up and I can use points that that location. I can transfer from my Amex over the Bestwestern I think I will go for it. Very reasonable point useage.

If you have any Best Western points left, some years ago we stayed at Best Western Hotel Bisanzio in Venice, and liked it a lot.

You might be able to use BW points in Verona as well.

I have plenty of Amex points I can transfer...

Thanks for all the feedback. I have added a night to Siena and took off Verona. Another time. This limits the one night stays to some place in the Marches area on the 18 and Assisi on the 19.

Dawn:

In Venice, you might want to try the Best Western Ala. Very good location, too.

Thank you weekender - I will look into it.

More revision.

I have opted to spend 3 nights in Salzburg (was doing that before) train to Munich - spend 3 nights there, and then fly (gulp) to London and spend 4 nights instead of 3. We will arrive in London on Oct. 31 and leave back for the states on states on Election day. November 4. Oh boy.

I changed our hotel in Salzburg to Hotel Auersperg, taking Joy's advice.

Still deciding for London, I have to wait for points from Amex to post and then will see what is still available with starwood, hilton, bestwestern.

Thanks again to everyone!

Okay - I have realized part of the frustration with this trip is the school being located where it is.

I have decided to do a private tutor through a school for one week in Rome starting on Oct. 6 for 5 days - move onto Florence the following week for a private tutor situation.

I think that this will really change the trip for the better...

I agree -Otranto is pretty inconvenient for getting anywhere.

But you might want to consider a tutor/school situation in Siena, Verona, Venice or Lucca instead of Rome and Florence if you want to be in a smaller place.

lovisa - yes, that is what I want.. I prefer non cities.

Dd loved Rome so I can "suffer" (hardly) there for 7 nights. Perhaps a week in Rome and then Siena or the like. I will see what I can come up with.

Most of of the schools offer the option to do a private tutor for the week -