Ann1

Many people prefer Siena to San G, I prefer San G to Siena. If you're trying to fit it all in, probably Sienna would give you the most. San G is much smaller. Save it for the next time. Even though Pisa is such a tourist trap, it is well worth the trip. It's about an hours drive west of Florence. You can take the train if you choose, also. There are many little towns near Assisi. You would fill a lot of time just driving around there. Castello di Lago is interesting, Cortona, Pienza, etc. Lago Trasemeno (I'm not sure of the spelling) is there. Honestly you could spend a month in Tuscany and Umbria and never see everything interesting. Also in Florence, on the way to Santa Croce is a museum called the Bargello. It was a prison but is gorgeous now. It has an incredible collection of Rennaissance sculpture. I like it better than the Uffizi. Just consider this your first trip of many to Italy.

LeslieC

Gary - in response to your question, it's about a 2+ hour drive from Assisi to Siena. Although it is doable roundtrip in one day, I think it makes more sense for you to see Siena enroute to Florence. If you want to visit Assisi in one day and visit nearby towns the second, I think Spello, Spoleto or Gubbio are nice options or Orvieto for a bit longer drive.<BR><BR>The website &quot;www.viamichelin.com&quot; is useful in planning such trips. <BR>

LeslieC

By the way, we had a marvelous day in Assisi 2 years ago with a tourguide named Anne Robichaud. Her website is www.annesitaly.com.

HowardR

Gary, you are rapidly getting to the stage--if you're not there already--when you finally realize that you can't possibly see everything in Tuscany and Umbria that you want to see! Thus, it's time to make some hard choices and narrow down your A list! <BR>With just four days total for the area, face it, you'll just be able to scratch the surface. <BR>Going backwards, your 2 days in Florence leave little time for leaving the city. Thus, you're talking about 2 days to cover Umbria and the rest of Tuscany. Assisi and Siena along could fill up those 2 days!<BR>With that in mind, I suggest you draw up a list of the potentials for your &quot;I would like to see&quot; list and do further research to refine that list.<BR>One possible itinerary:<BR>Leave Rome early and stop in Orvieto for a few hours. (Make sure you get there before the duomo closes for its midday break.) Then, if there's time, I'd make a detour for a visit to Montepulciano and then onto Assisi.<BR>The next day I'd spend in Assisi. After 2 nights there, I'd leave early in the morning and drive to Siena for the day before getting to Florence.<BR>This is just a suggested itinerary to show you that you'll only be able to see and do just so much in a couple days!

GARYNFLA

Howard, you are right on the mark. We are now trying to determine which places we will have to pass on. Neither of us have been to Italy before and it looks like we will definetly being going back and for a longer trip next time..We have decided to spend our 2 days in Florence in Florence only. The two days in Assisi is i day enjoying Assisi and I day getting in the car and getting lost and just enjoying wherever we get to..On the drive to Assisi from Rome we will stop in Orvieto and spend part of the day..I am sure it will be fun..<BR> A huge thanks to everyone that offered any info helping us plan this trip. You folks are wonderful....

HowardR

Wise decision, Gary. We faced the same dilemma last fall when we had four days to spend in Tuscany and Umbria. And, like you, we determined in advance that we were definitely going back to that area!

GARYNFLA

Thanks Howard.. I am counting the days now..61 days and counting.. It seems like time has slowed down??

bettinanfla

Let us know everything. There are 4 of us going to Italy in Nov. We have a timeshare in assisi for the week. I imagine the temp. in March is not too much different from the temp in Nov.? Should we fly in to Rome or Florence? Rent a car or train it. We want to go to Florence Rome and hopefully Venice. We have only about 10-12 days maybe 14 if we really splurge. We are taking our anniversary trip 16 for us. When we go to Venice we will need to stay a night or two. Suggestions? Thanks

GARYNFLA

I will definetly let you all know the details of my trip. I am also going to post a picture site of Italy on MSN..This board has been a incredible help with my trip planning..