NHsandy

Which one for our 35th anniversary in September? We can get free upgraded tickets to Milan. Both area's seem about the same distance from there. It will only be our 2nd time in Europe. Where would you go?

TuckH

We were in Tuscany in September and wished we had chosen the spring season. The countryside was cast in tones of an unappealing brown, the fields having been already tilled.

Next year we're headed for the Provence and I'm thinking it'll be in June. Hopefully we'll see some poppy and lavendar fields, both of which will be gone by September, I believe.

TuckH

>Where would you go?<

The Lakes. The Swiss Alps. Venice.

Underhill

Provence is still lovely in September, both western and eastern. No lavender or poppies, though, but plenty else to keep you happy.

luvparee

Go see the movie "A Good Year" with Russell Crowe and see if the scenery in the movie sets your heart singing! It was filmed in Provence around the Bonnieux/Lourmarin area of the Luberon.

Enjoy!

joy/luvparee

kevin_widrow

And filmed in Sept/Oct if my memory serves...

-Kevin

NHsandy

TTT

Royal

We were in Provence(Luberon) this past September and have been to Tuscany twice in September.

My vote is for Tuscany. The Val d'Orcia in particular. The hill towns in Tuscany are more lively, have more restaurants & hotels to choose from and seem to offer more to do.

Don't get me wrong we did like Provence but were a little disappointed that so many of the hill towns were virtually empty during the day, some almost deserted, unless it was a market day.

All in all we just found Tuscany more visually appealing and the towns had more to offer especially shops & restaurants. It seemed to us that most of the good restaurants in Provence were located outside of town and we don't like to drive at night especially after drinking.

I'm sure you will enjoy either location, just wanted to give you a personal observation.

Judy

We went to Chateau du Canorgue in early October for a wine tasting and the movie trailers were everywhere, so it was obviously during the filming of "A Good Year." Beautiful! I'd take Provence over Tuscany any day but that's certainly a personal bias.

panucci

We were in Provence in May and Tuscany the previous Sept. As much as we LOVED Provence, Tuscany....is amazing. The drive to Volterra OMG. The southern hill towns, Siena, Lucca, Florence, San Gimignano. I am in the process of planning another trip there in June. I went with a friend and I just have to share it with my husband

panucci

We stayed at La Saracina near Pienza and it was so wonderful. If it's in your budget I would very highly recommend it!
http://www.lasaracina.it/

DeeW

We have enjoyed both in September. By a narrow margin, I prefer Tuscany.

NHsandy

Thanks everyone who replied! We are leaning towards Tuscany and you've helped us with making a decision.

dorkforcemom

I second La Saracina - perfect for a romantic 35th anniversary! Location is ideal and the hostess, Simonetta, is charming. An alternative is Locanda dell Amorosa - also very romantic and is larger than La Saracina with more amenities but not as ideally located. My husband and I have stayed in both and they are our favorite places in the world!

NHsandy

ttt

Kelly1212

I've never been to Provence in the fall, but we were in Tuscany in Sept. 2005. We stayed in Montalcino and loved it. The landscape was gorgeous (yes, some golden brown, but plenty of green). We took daytrips to Siena, Pienza, Sant Antimo. I personally think September is a great time, if not the best time, to be in Tuscany!