Hi, first, i've read many other posts about tuscany & driving before posting. My twist is that i am on a budget, and that I have to rent a car to get around Tuscany for an even I'm attending (2-3 days, different venues around Mercatale/Il Pallagio).

So - question: I need to be there around Sept 9-12, but want to tack on a few days before and after to relax and visit coastal towns/beaches/Elba?

I've been to rome and florence before, and live in a large city. i have never visited the italian coast but love the movies which are set there. i love coastal/beach communities. i have pretty much no budget, so am on the hostel level. I am an adult male, fairly well traveled...

my current-half baked still-plan is a flight into milan (award miles), train to florence, night in florence, rent car for a week (weds to weds), drive to mercatale area and look for cheap accommodations. attend event in Chianti (fri-sun wedding), then drive coast and visit places/beaches sun PM to weds AM, ending up in rome for my 2 PM flight out back to NY.

I welcome all suggestions, especially on the following items:
- cheaper car rental advice
- cheap accommodations/hostels/tents in Chianti
- places to visit and stay (on the cheap) on the coast between tuscany & rome
- advice for easier driving into and in rome (to return car)

gratzie! (no, i do not speak italian... yet)

topping

You can find info on AIG youth hostels in Tuscany and Lazio on:
www.ostellionline.org

Here is one in the Chianti region:
http://www.ostellionline.org/ostello.php?idostello=252

You might also want to consider hostels in Liguria for the Cinque Terre.

Hope this helps ...

Steve

steve, thanks, i'll research the names you gave me, great! not sure what ira's "topping" means.

look forward to more responses, thanks!

If my question was too general here are two more specific ones I've not seen much info on:

> Taking boat trips on the coast and travel to the islands (Elba, and others roughly between Pisa and Rome)?

> Staying at coastal campgrounds roughly between Pisa and Rome. I'll have a car and can probably bring along basic materials for a camping bed. Is it easy to find good campgrounds? Are they cheap and safe?