My husband and I plan to spend 3 days exploring Tuscany after Florence in late October. Any tips to help map it out? Thinking about Lucca. San Gim., Siena and Montevarchi(Prada outlet). Has anyone heard ofIl Falconierre in Cortona, Certosa di Maggiano or Park Hotel in Sienna, or Tenuta di Ricavo in Chianit region. As you can tell, I'm not sure of the distances and would like to know which town to make homebase. Thanks.

Lisa, You have certainly picked out some <BR>of my favorite places to stay, but the <BR>location is everything and Falconiere is <BR>too far east and Ricavo may be too far <BR>north---I would concentrate closer to <BR>Siena. The Siena choices are both great <BR>but also check out Relais la Suvera a few mile SW of Siena. Also, go find the <BR>Villa San Paolo near San Gim.--very nice

One of our Sunday papers had an article on this this weekend. Why not have alook at www.sunday-times.co.uk.

Lisa -- <BR> <BR>Just returned from a tour of Tuscany and <BR>I would recommend the Hotel Cisterna in San Gimnignano as well as the Villa Cassalecchi in Castellina. Both were wonderful places to stay. Email me if you would like more info. cheryl

Be forewarned that driving distances are further (more time comsuming than they look on a map). We jsut returned from Tuscany on a corporate tour and seemed to spend A LOT of time on the bus. <BR> <BR>Don't try to see/do too much. My sense was that Tuscany is meant to be savored, not sampled.

Thanks for all the great info everyone. I have yet another question. Is it too ambitious to go from Florence to Lucca, San Gimignano and to sleep in Castelina or Siena that night? ....If i was to sleep in Castelina, see radda, badia, montevarchi(prada outlet)the second day? If so, should i return to Castelina to sleep if i want to see siena, castelo Brolio and Gaiole the third day? If this is too ambitious, does it make sense to cut Lucca and only concentrate on Florence to sienna route?

yes, Lisa, I think its too ambitious. I spent a whole week in Tuscany and I think you are underestimating 2 things -- 1 distances are much greater than they appear, as soon as you get off the A1. Don't be thinking you can cover 60 miles per hour... estimate 20 miles per hour off the highway. 2 -- it takes a very long time to park and then walk to the top of a hill town. No way you will WANT to do 3 in a day. Finally, give Siena an entire day. You won't be sorry. There's more to see there than any of the others.

Thanks beth. What if i forget lucca and head from florence down the chiantigiana and hit castelina, greve, radda, gaiole and stay in sienna. (as well as a trip to the prada outlet in montevarchi. Does that sound like three days? Would also hitting montelcino and/or montepulciano be pushing it???