kathrynj

I'd appreciate suggestions for a 12 day or so trip probably mid September of next year. Was thinking of flying into Rome or Florence, staying in some village location doing day trips and then returning from the city I don't fly into!

Any especially charming location? On previous trips to France I have rented houses in Goult and Tourette-Sur Loup and loved both places. Are there any rental angencies you like a lot?

If I am planning on about 12 days, would you just do Florence, Siena, hill towns, etc and not do Rome at all?

Thanks for any help!

Dayle

Hi kathrynj,

It sounds like this is your first trip to Italy. If so, with 12 days and based on what sounds like your preference for the countryside locations:

Fly into Florence (if you've never been, you may want to at least spend a night and see a couple of highlights)

7 nts Tuscany - you could split it between outside Siena or in Chianti, and southern Tuscany (Montalcino/Montepulciano/Pienza area), or all in one location

4 or 5 nts Rome
Rome is fabulous! Did you visit France and not skip Paris? I hope not, so do enjoy Roma!

Buon viaggio

kathrynj

Thanks Dayle. Actually I have been to Italy many times, most recently to Venice in August, but have not been to Florence or Siena in many, many years! I like your idea of a few days in Rome (which has also been many years since a visit). I haven't spent extended time in this region.

Is there a town you like best for a base in Chianti/Tuscany? I thought it would make the most sense dollarwise to rent a place for a week and do daytrips---maybe Pienza which sounds like it is lovely.

Thanks for your suggestions!

Henry

kathrynj,
I think the Val d'Orcia is one of the most beautiful areas in Tuscany. Staying anywhere between Montalcino and Montepulciano would be great. The best place to checkout apartments is on Slow Travel http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/vr/lis...uscany%20South

If you want more information on day trips in this area e-mail me.

Henry

gard

Hi

My wife and I did Florence and Tuscany this summer and you can read about the trip and see pictures on my homepage http://gardkarlsen.com/florence_italy_travelogue.htm and http://gardkarlsen.com/tuscany_italy_travelogue.htm . Maybe you can combine this with Rome as well. My wife and I went to Rome a couple of years back and it is a great city. Here is the Rome trip report http://gardkarlsen.com/rome_italy.htm . Happy planning

Regards
Gard
http://gardkarlsen.com - trip reports and pictures

kathrynj

Thanks all---I saw that Stu Dudley's posts also highly recommmend the area you also mentioned Henry (and I will follow up with you via email--thanks!).

Am debating between mid-September or mid-October if anyone has thoughts on that.

Also, aas much as I'd like to return to Rome, am wondering if it too much of a push to add?

Again, thanks! Kathy