Hi. We are a family of five and are going to Italy for the 1st time this summer. We have allotted 5 nights for Tuscany. I can't decide if we should spend 2 nights in Cortona (castello di spaltenna) and 3 in Lucca (Palazzo Alexander)or vice versa. Any info on these places/towns would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

There is a famous Castello di Spaltenna near Gaiole in Chianti http://www.greve-in-chianti.com/cast...ertine_eng.htm but I haven't heard of one near Cortona - you should check that.

Will you have a car? Are you using these places as a base for day trips?

Hi A,

It depends on what you want to do while in these towns. Do you have other towns you want to visit, or do you just want to hang out and relax with kids enjoying the pool? Why are you planning on these two locations?

Give us a little more info and we can provide suggestions!

Hi again,
Toscoman - you are right, I apologzie, the Spaltenna is in Gaiole. Have you been there? It looks amazing, but I am concerned it's a bit out of the way.
Mimar - yes we will have a car.
And - Dayle - we have a lot we want to see. From Lucca - Pisa, the caves in Braga and the marble quarries in Carrara.
In Tuscany, we would love to see Siena, Greve, and then check out Perugia in Umbria (my family loves chocolate!).
Any advice/ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks so much!