-<BR>Up for Joel.

Is it possible to do this by public transport. My fiance and I don't want to drive if we can avoid it.

Dean:<BR><BR>Are you still out there? I'm planning a two week trip in May/June with 3 kids 10, 8, & 7. We've rented an apt. in Lucca, making that our base for the first week. Anything you could recommend in terms of day trips? Have you heard anything about the open wineries in the Chianti region on May 30? Do you know how I might be able to find ot about concerts in that region. I'll be spending the second week near Arezzo. Thanks for the ideas!

The 'Cantine Aperte' is an annual event where hundreds, maybe thousands of wineries all over Italy open their doors for a day, with tastings, tours and exhibitions - usually all free.<BR><BR>It is also shockingly poorly promoted (and always has been - the official site is still promoting the 2001 edition), but this year falls on Sunday the 26th of May - it is usually the last Sunday of May.<BR>Most big wineries in Chianti, Tuscany AND Italy should be open, and you'll see road signs all over the place. Good luck.<BR><BR>Mat, www.knowital.com.

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hei!!!!! hang on a sec you have been to Chianti and you did not spend a day with Dario, he willtake you to see places you have never even dreamed pf seeing!!!!! contact him at [email protected]<BR>please!!!

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Wonderful trip report. We are going to Italy (planned by Bob the Navigator) next month and we will bring some of your info. What time do most of the restaurants open there and are reservations a must?

All Italians I know of eat at 8:30 or later. While there are restaurants that open earlier, eating earlier than that shows a lack of respect for the host culture that will probably result in a lesser experience. Reservations are typically necessary for any good restaurant, although places like Trattoria Cibreo don't accept them.

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Thank you Dean for the most wonderful report and topping this for me as I will certainly be printing this and keeping as a reference when we get to Tuscany. When ever I travel, I always go to Fodors first for information and advise and articles like these help plan your holiday more fun and also with the confidence that you have been given good advise.<BR><BR>Thank you also for the wine tips, as this is always a problem visiting a new country and you do not know the wines. I can advise that Pinot Grigio is a very nice light fruity wine. Will definatively be trying the Brunello di Montalcino.

Rose...<BR>try a tocai friulano if you like pinot grigio. Tocai is what pinot grigio's want to be when they grow up. It is similar in style with a more robust and spicy flavor.<BR><BR>Remember that Brunello is one of the most rich and heavy reds made in Italy. It can be hard as nails. Try costanti, argiano and piccolomini as they are softer and more forward. Also you can try rosso di Montalcino which is wines made from grape vines too young to be called Brunello. They are a fraction of the price and in a very friendly, fruit assertive style. Try one of these first before making the investment in a brunello.

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Topping for Penny<BR><BR>Dean, THANKS!! Your trip reports are the best, & it sounds like you enjoy traveling much the same as we do. We'll be near Castellina for 1 week & near Pienza 1 week this fall.

Monica<BR><BR>if you are going to be in Pienza, try to visit Fratelli Putzulo who is one of the best makers of Pecorino di Pienza. They are located out of Pienza. <BR><BR>Also we are going to see the "other" Il Sodoma freschi at Sant'Anna in Caprena. You will need the TCI 1:200.000 map to even find Sant'Anna on the map. Given how beautiful his work in Monte Oliveto is, we can't wait to see it. <BR><BR>Be sure to dine at La Chiusa in Montefollonico and have a bottle of the local wine, Innocenti.<BR><BR>We are trying to get back to Italy this October but health issues may force us to miss Itlay this year. But we will certainly be there next year. We may take in Carnivale and Friuli.

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A couple addictions to Dean's post.<BR>Once cheap and lovely place to stay in the area is Giovanna's agritourism in Radicondoli. It is called "Fonte di sopra" and you can find it at www.agriturismo.regione.toscana.it. last wingter we staid there for 4 nights, had 4 berakfasts with bread, homamade marmelade, cakes and coffee or tea, 3 "regular" dinners (appetizer, 2 first courses, 2 second courses with contorno, cheese and sweets) one large dinner (I do not start describilng it, but I think I have eaten some 20 different recipes!) ad new year's eve and paid 180 euro per person. The food is great and Gioanna is lovely, but the wine is HORRIBLE!, so be forewarned. The farm is near Belforte village in Radicondoli, worth a walk.<BR>Another suggestion comes from the it.hobby.cucina newsgroup: Vestro is a restaurant and locanda in Monticiano, near San Galgano. I will go there as soon as I can ;-P

Thank you for sharing your travel experience. My friend and I will be flying to Rome this mid-Oct. We have not planned our itinerary but a rough plan is to stay 3 days in Rome and to drive to the various towns/cities in Tuscany to fully explore the serene and beautiful quaint countryside that we have read about. Please advise if it is better for us to simply take the train from Rome to Florence and rent a car from Florence to drive out to the other towns and then train back to Rome. BTW, how is the weather in mid Oct to early Nov? Cheers.

We printed this out and followed several of the suggestions, including the whole South of Siena itinerary. We had an absolute blast.<BR><BR>The Etruscan Museum in Murlo and the Church at Mount Oliveto monastary were closed for siesta when we went through, but it was still a great experience.<BR><BR>Thanks Dean!

Jonathon<BR><BR>Get your car in Roma. There are several routes you can take on the way that are really fun. If you are a wino... I mean wine lover, you can stop at Orvieto. The cathedral is superb and you can tour the Etruscan parts of the town. <BR><BR>If you are a ruins lover, take the costal route and see Tarquinia and Cerveteri for the Etruscan ruins. Cerveteri is a huge city of tombs that gives a lot of insight into the way the Etruscan's lived. Tarquinia has twin delights, the Etruscan Museum where you can see such things as the Winged Horses and an amazing collection of erotic vases. Then go to the tombs. Tarquinia has a collection of painted tombs that will delight you. The tombs that are open change frequently.<BR><BR>If you do the etruscan route, you can also try and squeeze in San Galgano. This is an abbey from the 12th centuary which was abandoned in the 14th. The roof was sold off for use making ammunition in one of the mryiad wars between Siena and Firenze. Its quite a sight now. If you go there see if Bill the Bird Guy has his bird sanctuary open. Its opposite the Abbey.<BR><BR>Weather in October is usually ok. It can be hot cold or in betweenand there will be some rain. But there will also be white truffles and fresh porcini which more than make up for a little rain<BR>

Thank you Dean :) You have been most generous with your sharing of your travel experience. As this would be our first trip to Italy, your inputs are invaluable and will be considered seriously. I forgot to mention that the trip covering Rome and Tuscany will last 2 weeks. In an attempt to discover Tuscany, can you advise if we should move from town to town or should we base ourselves say in Sienna and make day trips instead. What are the day light hours from mid Oct to mid Nov. We have not yet fixed the travel dates but will definitely be within that window period. BTW, we are from a tropical country and the weather will be something that we need adjustment to. Look forward to hearing from you soon :)

As far as where to stay, I recommend Castellina in Chianti if you are going to day trip into Firenze and somewhere farther south if you will spend time in Firenze itself. I wouild choose the area around Montepulciano or Montalcino for a base in that case.<BR><BR>october will have wonderful weather mixed in with rain. Daylight hours are decent but get shorter over the course of the month. The other thing to watch for is the switch from summer hours to winter hours which typically occurs on October 1st (rarely), the 15th (more common) or Novenber 1. This means that attractions close earlier giving you less time to see them during the day. Prices also come down as well. I prefer to travel approximately the 7th and return on the 24th as our wedding anniversary is on the 23rd and we have the last night to have a special dinner. <BR><BR>We also like to travel so we spend a saturday to saturday in Toscana as most country apartments rent over this period. The other week can easily be spent in Rome or split between rome and Florence.<BR><BR>Hope this helps

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