We are planning a 5 week trip in Italy. We have been to Italy previously and this will be our second visit to Milan. We will be flying into Milan for 4 days then training it to Genova for a further four days. Then on to Cinque Terre for 3 nights, Lucca for 3 nights and then Florence. From Florence we want to travel to Arezzo, Cortona and Montalpulchiano, Orvieto and ending in Rome. Can anyone tell us how to travel to Arezzo and Cortona by bus or train? Also if anyone has affordable accommodation options in Riomaggiore and Florence we would love to hear them.
Thanks

I am confused---do you plan ot drive at all?
It would enhance your time in Tuscany.

What is your budget range for Florence hotels?

With 5 weeks we are all envious---you have the time to be creative.

Travel to Arezzo and Cortona by train. The train station at Arezzo is right at the town, but for Cortona you get out at Camucia and take the bus or taxi up the hill to the town centre about 2 miles away.

Hi Bobthenavigator. I was hoping you would weigh in. Read your trip reports and viewed your photographs. So much information and fun.
Thanks DownUnder and Jean for the information.
We had thought of hiring a car in Florence and driving around the Chianti area, but found that hiring a car for only a few days with all the extra insurance etc makes it an expensive option.
So we are thinking of slower travel around Arezzo and Cortona.
Yes, I have certainly read Frances Mayes books and seen the movie.
We are also intersted in Montalcino since Isabella Dusi (Aussi) has done so much to promote that town. But not on this trip.
Our last trip to Florence was a very long time ago and we stayed right in the heart of the city in an pension of sorts run by an American married to an Italian. A very airless, windowless room with shared bathroom. In those days, we could actually park our car in the street outside the accommodation! We are looking for something a bit different this time. On the other side of the Arno perhaps.
Our first trip to Italy was part of a five month trip around Europe when we were young and fit. We leased a brand new car just off the production line from Ford, which we picked up in London and drove all around Europe. Returning it in a somewhat less than pristine state with a window being smashed in by thieves in Brussels and the rear passenger door stoved in by a stouch with a motor cyclist. Furtherest south we ventured was to Paestum.
Our last trip was just to the North of Italy. In at Milan, around the lakes - Maggiore, Como and Garda, Verona, Vicenza, Padua, Brenta Canal to Venice and flew out of Venice.
Our original plan this time was to fly into Rome, train to Naples, ferry to Aeolian islands, then drive around Sicily for 3 weeks, fly back to Rome and then home.
Five weeks did not cut it, so I suddenly had to re-think and so it is now Milan, Genova, CT, Lucca, Florence and a small part of Tuscany, Orvieto and Rome, using trains where we can.
Bob your report on Lerici, La Spezia and Portonvenere have made me stop and think, so I am considering robbing a day from southern Tuscany and adding it to the CT just to experience those towns.
Thanks Jean for the tip on the Trasimeno Lake, will have to see how to fit that in. Look forward to reading your blog.

Just another question. The trenitalia site seems to require a defined start time rather than just giving me a timetable of all trains for that day between specified stations,eg Milan - Genova. I suspect that by putting in a time, I am being limited in the number of trains the site displays. Even though I select 9.00am it only displays some 4 - 5 trains. Knowing that regionale trains run frequently between Milan and Genova and the CT, I feel that I am not getting the full picture.

Hit next solution at the bottom and it will display the next 4-5 trains of the day, but I doubt there are any trains that are not being listed unless you are searching on the area of Trenitalia for fast trains only (it won't show IC and R trains). Trenitalia doesn't show prices for the slow R trains unless you enter a date within the next seven days.

We have a similar route in mind for September (Florence to Rome) and have a villa booked just outside Florence for a week and one of our group of 10 is having a 60th birthday. We are looking for a good way to celebrate - a wine and cooking tour perhaps?
We find that a rented car will cost about $50 day (www.economycarrental.com) and don't think that's too much for the freedom (but of course also restrictions) involved. We used that co. in Turkey recently and found them to be good - $35 day there! Thinking of renting for 6 days cruising.
I'll continue to watch your plans with interest Christine.
Cheers
Tom

In Florence, here are some options:

SMALL B&Bs Prices from 120 to 190E for a double room

• www.touristhouseghiberti.com Nice place near Duomo

• www.ilvillino.it Nice people and good value

• www.florencegrandtour.com Newer B&B with good reviews

• www.ladimoradegliangeli.com Lovely new B&B—great location


MID –RANGE HOTELS: Prices from 150 to 300E by season

* www.hoteldavanzati.it Great location and amenities

* www.ortodeimedici.it Perfect location and nice hotel

* www.hotelcasci.com Good family hotel in good location

* www.hotelsilla.it Across the river with less noise & people

* www.ilguelfobianco.it Hard to beat for location and service

The correct spelling of the town is Montepulciano.