Hello!

My boyfriend and I are going to Tuscany and the Cinque Terre for 9 days in October. We are planning on staying in the Cinque Terre for the first few days of the trip and then stay at a farmhouse in Montepulciano or in that region. Does anyone have any suggestions on where to stay, where to eat, cooking classes, wine tasting, and places that we definitely have to see? Any recommendations are welcome!

Thanks!

Haruko

What is your budget? Two of my favorites-

Cinque Terre- http://www.lamala.it/en/index.html (try for room 26)

Southern Tuscany (just outside of Pienza)- http://www.fontebertusi.it/eng/

Do you have any guidebooks yet? I like the Insight Guide Tuscany to point me in the right direction for places to visit-

http://www.amazon.com/Insight-Guide-.../dp/1585733008

Good advice above !

Here are some food options in Toscana:

GOOD EATS IN TOSCANA---2008
I have never been called “ BOB THE FOODIE” , but here are some of the best places to eat in Tuscany based on feedback from many of my clients. Reservations are suggested for most!
$=inexpensive $$=moderate prices $$$= expensive

FLORENCE:
Osteria del Cinghiale Bianco $$ Across the river & very good.
La Giostra $$$ Excellent, but you must book in advance

SIENA:
Osteria Le Logge $$ Great place for lunch and near Il Campo
Cane e Gato $$$ A fixed price & menu for a true feast—allow 4 hours

LUCCA:
Buca di San Antonio $$ Best in town and near San Michele
Il Giglio $$ In the piazza of the same name---favorite with locals

SAN GIMIGNANO:
Il Pino $$ Very good typical Tuscan fare
Le Vecchie Mura $ Good value for a tourist town

MONTALCINO:
Taverna Grappolo Blu $ Popular with locals as well.
Ristorante Poggio Antico $$ Excellent cuisine 5km south of town at winery location
Enoteca Osteria Osticcio $ Best wine tasting & small meals in town

MONTEPULCIANO:
La Grotta $$ Near San Biagio church & very good
Café Poliziano $ Great place for lunch on shopping street

PIENZA: Latte du Luna $$ Best choice in this charming village

BAGNO VIGNONI: Osteria del Leone $ Good lunch choice in this spa hamlet

MONTICCHIELLO: La Porta $ Charming place with outside terrace

SAN QUIRICO: Trattoria al Vecchio Forno $ Good food & fair value

CASTELLINA: Al Gallopapa $$$ Creative & varied menu in Chianti

Great! Thank you for the suggestions!

Do you have any suggestions to any must see places that I need to see or any vineyards that we need to visit?

Thanks,

Read a good guide book--or two---for places to visit. As for wineries, I like Fattoria Barbi south of Montalcino.

haruko425,
I have a large file on southern Tuscany. It is too big to post but e-mail me and I will send it. [email protected]

Henry

Thank you again.

I have another question. We are landing in Pisa and heading up to the Cinque Terre right away. Do you think we should get a car there or wait until we head down to Tuscany?

Thanks!
Haruko

Public transportation (trains and boats) are better in the Cinque Terre. (Don't know how many boats are running in October.) You'd just have to pay to park the car.

Pick up your rental car on your way to or in Tuscany.

No need for a car in the Cinque Terre. You can pick up your car in La Spezia, the city near the Cinque Terre and reached by train, before heading to Tuscany. Check kemwel.com and autoeurope.com for cars. Be sure to look at price AND deductables. Lately, Kemwel has had the best price with zero deductables.

You can purchase your train tickets to the Cinque Terre at the Pisa airport. The train leaves the airport just outside the airport doors. Be sure to stamp your ticket in the yellow ticket machine before boarding. You may need to change trains at the Pisa Centrale train station and also the La Spezia station. It is all very easy.

Thank you for all of the tips!

We have tons of guide books and travel books. It's always nice to hear ideas from people who have been there.

Can anyone recommend a farmhouse-villa to stay in Montepulciano area?

Here is a excellent resource for rental reviews in southern Tuscany and near Montepulciano-

http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/vr/lis...uscany%20South

I like this location much better than your dream cottage.
http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/vr/review.asp?n=1043

That's a great recommendation, Bob. A wonderful, central location and the apartment sounds perfect.

The boat was still operating in October (2006) but it did not go to all locations, such as Portofino, as it does in the summer. I believe it was just from Levanto to Porto Venere (with all villages in between.) One day we purchased an all day ticket for 18E and village hopped all day. It was wonderful. You probably already know about the train through the area. Couldn't be more convenient. Maybe 5 minutes between towns.

Thank you for all of your help!

I have one more question!
We were thinking of hopefully spending a couple of nights on a sailboat. Do you know of anywhere that would have such a thing?

Thanks again!