Thanks to all who replied since my last post! You guys are great!!

Started reading over at slowtrav.com too...

Yes, I'm an architect....that explains my wish to go to Italy right? Never had the chance to go on "Le Grande Tour" after finishing arch school so many years ago..so trying to make up for it now.. ;-)

Anyway, forgot to mention that my wife and I are garden-lovers and would like to see some charming gardens while we're there.

Any suggestions on some good ones in this region?

Thanks,

Mark

Last year we did a "circle" Assisi (From Florence airport), southern Tuscany (Buonconvento), Chianti (Greve-at Podere Torre.We returned to this B&B again this year.Will probably return next), and then Florence.
We got a "little crazy" and added 3 nights at Bellagio.As much as we liked it, we wish we spent that time in the hill country.
ArchiMark, by the way, we finished the entire trip in France.We love it as well and only stay at B&B's (except in Paris). We found Tuscany/Umbria more "magical" than France, but a bit more expensive than the French countryside.

Mark, regarding the gardens, this thread should interest you...

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34447234

Marck, look into La Foce in the Val d'Orcia area for gardens. If you google it, you should get their website as they now are renting out accommodations there as well as allowing access to the gardens. Associated with the late Iris Origo and now run by her daughters.

Thanks as always for all the really helpful info and insights. The gardens advice is greatly appreciated!

All of this really, really, helps my wife and I to formulate a plan for our trip.

Visiting some of the other sites recommended too. Almost too much info now...need to take some time and sort things out...

We realize that 2 weeks is not enough time, so we'll scale back our goals and just enjoy what we can....

Mark

I just returned from a week in Tuscany and here's what I can share with you. We stayed at the Belagaggio agriturismo in Montefollinico. (www.belagaggio.it). It was wonderful. Real working farm, swimming pool, exceptionally peaceful. The owners only speak Italian but I found that we were able to get by just fine. I believe it's about $700/week for 2 people and that should include breakfast. I can share more with you about it if you're interested. We spent the days traveling to all of the hill towns in Tuscany and Umbria - it depends on what you like, but my favorites were Cortona (a must see), Montepulciano (great wine tastings), and then you must take time to see Florence, Siena and San Gimignano. A car is a must in order to really see the region (don't forget about driving the Chianti trail too!). I'd be happy to share more info if you have specific questions.

Sounds great sandiedog!

Seems like most places like that you need to stay a week right?

What do you find are the 'business hours' of shops, restaurants, etc in the Tuscany area?

Do they close up after lunch?

Thanks,

Mark

They do require 7 night stays during high season - I'm not sure about the Fall so just ask. The shops do close up for lunch from about 1- 3:30 and then reopen until evening.

Hi sandiedog,

Thanks for your reply and info!

Hope you don't mind another question or two... ;-)

1) How convenient is Belagaggio located?

Does it feel isolated or close to a nearby village or town?, distance to other places of interest, etc. ?

2) The photos on the website make the place look very nice. How are the rooms? Are they reasonably furnished and taken care of?
Some of the rooms in the photos look like they don't have windows or very small. Do the rooms feel closed in?

3) Is the place quiet and did you feel secure there?

Thanks!

Mark

It is located about 10 minutes from 2 different towns where you can go to get groceries - Pienza and Torrita. Most other towns are within 30 minutes. It is somewhat isolated which I prefer because it is very quiet and there is no traffic or tourists. The rooms are very nice - some of the 2-person rooms are small 1 bedroom apartments, some have kitchens and some do not. They are all well taken care of and the grounds of Belagaggio are immaculate. Hope this helps...

You did not mention the length of your trip.
We were in Tuscany and Umbria a couple of years ago in October. We love that time, as the tourists are gone.
We flew into Rome and picked up our rental car. We then drove to a small town outside of Siena and stayed a week at Relais La Suvera in Pievescola. From this beautiful place we did day trips. There are many wonderful town in the area and much to see.We even spent a day in Florence.
The second week of our trip we drove to Spoleto and stayed at Hotel San Luca which is owned by a lovely women named Daniela. From there we also did day trips.
You can purchase many travel books on Tuscany and Umbria to find the towns that interest you for day trips.
The last night of our trip we stayed at the Sheraton Hotel Rome and drove to the airport the next morning.
This was a wonderful trip.
Enjoy

Hello all - I'm still trying to get information on Toscano in mid-October outside of towns/cities. I'm staying at a farm and wonder if one needs gloves, hats, scarves, warm coats at night? (My own post is lost.) Thanks for any advice.

Thanks for the additional info sandiedog!
The place and location sounds great. I emailed them but haven't received any reply yet.

sharoo, we're planning on being there about 2 weeks. Wish it could be more!

You're trip and places to stay sound great too.

As mentioned before, we like to visit gardens, quaint towns, and non-touristy places.

Have started looking at flights. Was a bit surprised to see that there's no non-stop flights from San Francisco to Rome. Although I know it's quite a distance. So need to decide what route to take and where we want to have stop.

From what I've read, late Sept/early Oct can be very nice weather during the day and quite cool in the evening/night right?

Mark

<<Was a bit surprised to see that there's no non-stop flights from San Francisco to Rome. Although I know it's quite a distance. So need to decide what route to take and where we want to have stop.>>

I think there are only a few cities with nonstop service to Rome: JFK, EWR, PHL, DTW, ORD, ATL. None of these cities is really "on the way" - - to get the shortest flight times, the routes from San Francisco to Europe head straight towards Seattle, and never fly over US soil again.

So, then there are the European gateways - - you're fortunate to have at least five from SFO: LHR, CDG, AMS, FRA and MUC. The flights I see through Paris have connect times that are unnervingly short - - so maybe the other cities are better?

Personally, I would choose based on price, and departure/arrival times not on connecting airport.

Sorry Mark, haven't checked this thread for a few days. Re rental cars, Nova, based in Ireland (I think) seems to be a consolidator like AutoEurope, which we usually happily use. Fodorites have recommended Nova as being reliable and inexpensive, so the next time we need a car in Europe, I'll do a comparison.

A note to Shanna about the weather in October. When we spent the month of October in Italy a couple of years ago, I needed tee shirts and shorts and not the fall clothes that I'd packed. Reinforced my theory that whatever I pack it'll be the wrong thing!

About nonstop flights from SFO to Rome. I'm actively looking into this route for a spring 2005 trip. Brief research shows the USAirways flight from SFO to PHL to Rome or the KLM (?) flight from SFO to AMS to Rome to be the least hassle with respect to airports.