Tuscan itinerary
 

We are going to Italy in May 2005, and we had some questions about our itinerary in Tuscany. We are flying into and out of Rome and will be in Italy for 1 week. We want to go to Tuscany from Rome and see Florence as well as some other small Tuscan towns. Ok here are my questions...
1. Which towns would you suggest going to? We are looking at CT, Sienna, Pisa...any other suggestions? We especially want to go to a small Tuscan town just to see the country life.
2. How would you suggest going to these towns? We would prefer not to have to book extra hotels - so are these feasible day trips from Florence? Or are they something we can do while traveling on a train from Rome to Florence? Like get off, explore the town, and then catch another train to continue the journey?
3. Also, we have to fly out of Rome early in the morning - would it be better to do Florence etc first and then come back to Rome for 3 days at the end of the trip?
4. Lastly, although unrelated to Tuscany - we have a 2 hr layover in Milan. Is it at all possible for us to get out of the airport and explore Milan for a bit before catching our flight back?

Thanks so much for your help!!

Hi go,

>We are flying into and out of Rome ..<
>.. we have a 2 hr layover in Milan.<

That does not compute.

>We are flying into and out of Rome and will be in Italy for 1 week.<

My suggestion is to stay in Rome with a daytrip to Orvieto for a "hill town" experience.

Next visit,if you only have a week, fly into Venice and see Venice and Florence.

((I))

If you have one week in Rome and Florence, every moment -- and you will have to trust me on this -- will be FILLED.

You might (might) squeeze in an optional, extra daytrip. Anything more will feel like work.

I agree with the recomendation for Orvieto. It is a beautiful old town. We also enjoyed Pienza and Sienna.
I think you are better to rent a car.

I love the town of Montalcino...particularly fantastic wines from this area as well.

First. No you will not have time to go into Milan.

Second, I would leave for Flornec upon arrival in Rome for 4 nites spending one day trip to Lucca/Pisa and the rest of the time in the city itself. Then go to Rome by trian for the remainder of the time. One week is very short for the are considering travle time and all of the great sights.

David