Karen

Sandy, I haven't heard from you on e-mail for a while. I still haven't picked my Tuscan site yet. You said 5 days in Siena. I haven't been but I tend to agree with whoever said not to stay in Siena. Have you chosen your hotels yet. I had e-mailed you my choices and I wonder if you had a chance to look at them. Remember I wanted you opinion on my Venice choices, Accademia or La Calcina. What are you narrowing it down to in Siena(Tuscany). What kind of airfares are you getting. Please e-mail Karen

Sue

I, too, really liked this thread. Up until now, I called myself a 'nomad' which I think Sandy would call a skimmer; I spend about 3 or 4 nights in a city, 1 or 2 nights in a village or town. However, I try to have us spend no more than two or three hours on the road between each stop, so that's a consideration as well. When we get older we will not only have more experience under our belts as to what we like, but our days of 'nomad' will be over and our days of 'homesteader' will begin. : - ) <BR> <BR>The cheapest tour packages I would describe as neither skimming or delving but "breathing." As, you don't savour the cognac, or even gulp it, you just breathe in the vapours. But, for some, it's get some vapours, or none at all, depending on budget or time.

Jen

I'm a 'delver'...like to dig in and really get a feel for the city/culture. Went to Australia last year for a couple of weeks and went to 2 places - Sydney and the Great Barrier Reef. Really dug in, and enjoyed. <BR> <BR>BUT, that comes from the knowledge that I do have time for travel, and can re-visit if I want. In your situation, I can understand your dilemma. <BR> <BR>If you can 'hit the ground running' and really fit a lot in, in a short period of time, than skimming might be the game for you. <BR> <BR>Good luck, and whatever you decide to do, enjoy your trip!

K

I loved the Locanda del Amorossa in Sinalinga (sp) It was a great base for exploring the hilltop towns in Tuscany and only about 45 minutes from Florence. They have a web site. K

topping

TTT-for current threads such as London and Paris in a long weekend.

matt

Sandy, <BR><BR>Just curious, what is a gentleman's farm? <BR><BR>I am going to italy for first time in july. I will also visit barcelona, spain and Nice, france in a tolal of 10 days. I am from united states and if i am going to europe, i want to see as much as i can. I guess i am a skimmer. Life is too short to stay put in one place.