I've been reading all the great advice on Tuscany and realize it is quite a large area.
We plan to spend 2 weeks in Italy in the spring of 2014. I am thinking of flying into Rome and renting a car and traveling first to Orievto and then to the Pienza area. From reading this forum I would love to see the areas around Pienza i.e.. Chianti, Montepulciano, Pienza, Monticchiello but also San G. Siena.

We have visited Rome, Florence Venice many years ago. I was thinking of rental an apartment or staying on a farm property. There are lots of choices suggested here so I won't bother you with that.

Here is my question: Before looking at your trip reports, i originally thought I would travel to Cinque Terre also and end up in the lake region for maybe 3 days maybe leaving out of Milan for home.
I'm not sure how to spread out the trip.
Maybe 6-7 days in the Pienza region then a few days somewhere north of Siena so I could visit Lucca, San G and Cinque Terre?

Then a drive to the lake region perhaps.
I did think I might like to visit Assisi and Perugia maybe on the way to Pienza from Olivetti.

Is this too much? Any advice would be appreciated. thank you

Make sure you have enough time to relax and just enjoy a glass of wine, slow morning strolls, lingering dinners and unexpected events. At least 2 nights in each area. We loved Montepulciano, as it felt so medieval, with fantastic views, but getting into the historic center with a car was tough. You'll be at a less busy time, though, so maybe parking won't be such a problem. We got a ticket in Pienza, so be very careful about parking, and have coins to insert into the meters. If you haven't driven in Italy before, keep in mind "All roads lead to Rome;" have a GPS, for sure, and a map in case GPS stops working, and head in the general direction of the place you are going (large or small towns). Streets aren't always marked. Pienza is a pretty town, but good for a short visit with photos--it's not that big.

I would be a little leery of the CT and the Lake District in spring. If the weather is bad - there's not as much to do there. We were in Tuscany this Spring in early April. Weather was cold & some rain - but the hillsides were stunning around Pienza with the "blanket" of green everywhere.

Here is something I posted after our return:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...y-171368-2.cfm

Stu Dudley

I think, to see Tuscany at its lovliest, I might wait until May so you can see things growing and blooming and the weather is likely to be nice enough for lunches outside. There are a lot of things you want to fit in but I would limit it to 3 areas in two weeks. Perhaps Assisi and Perugia for 3 days, the Pienza area for a week and Chianti, including San Gimignano and Siena for 4 or 5 days. As noted above, don't rush, take time to enjoy the experience without being on the move every day.

I would save the lakes and CT for a later trip. I always suggest planning 3 trips to Italy in advance---I would make this one your Central Italy trip and have 3 locations in Tuscany and Umbria---south Tuscany, centro Umbria[I like Bevagna/Spello area], and Chianti. You could incude the CT if you must, but weather is suspect.

The Lake District is farther north than anyplace in the continental US. The CT is north of Milwaukee.

We were in Verona near the lakes for 3 nights in very late March this year. It was quite cold, overcast, and we got a bit of snow. In late March in '04 we were in Tuscany & had some snow then.

I would not want to walk around the CT in the rain & cold.

Stu Dudley

Wow, quick response and some great suggestions. I just booked the flight, May 8 to May 23rd and am so excited. One reason I decided to do this myself was seeing all the great suggestions here on the board including links to Stu's itineraries. I do tend to put to many stops into our trips. I'm like a kid in a candy shop once I get going but I'm really going to try not to do it this time as I want to immerse myself and hubby in the Italian way of life.

If you all think that the Lake area weather will probably not be that pleasant then maybe we should skip it. I didn't realize it was that far north. Thank you all for your suggests.

I have found an apartment that is in a small town i Val D’Orcia. The cost for a one bedroom for the week in May is 990,00 Euros. Can you tell me if this is a good price? We would like to stay there for the first week of two. I am now also looking of a place to stay north of Florence for the second week of our stay. Can anyone recumbent either a farm stay or small apartment? thank you

The Val D'Orcia is an area, not a town and it can encompass many of your target towns--Pienza, Montepulciano, Montalcino etc. Where or which town is your rental in?
The price is in the ballpark although we have consistently found one bedroom apartments and agriturismos cheaper--but we don't favor luxury, just location. You are off season and will be able to find other options. Location is key to exploring easily and remember to take time to relax in this area--its about the ambience and feel.

While the lake area is north and the elevation is higher, you can still get some good weather in May. The jet stream flow is not the same as it is for Milwaukee so the weather doesn't actually compare to that. Rome is further north than Chicago, but Rome has some palm trees that survive which certainly wouldn't make it through a winter in Chicago.

>>>in a small town i Val D’Orcia. The cost for a one bedroom for the week in May is 990,00 Euros. Can you tell me if this is a good price? <<<

Location matters as some can be quite isolated and take a long time to reach other surrounding towns because of the roads. Which town? If you state the amenities you need in an apartment and your budget, you will get a lot of suggestions.

A link to the place you are looking at would help us assess...

Sorry, here is the link. Any thoughts are appreciated.
http://www.lecasinedicastello.com
Thanks

That's in a very good location.

Stu Dudley

I agree---great location, and Isabella is worth her weight in gold----go for it.

Heer are shots in that region you may enjoy:

http://www.slowphotos.com/photo/show...at=4553&page=4

As it turns out, Isabelle only has availability at the apartment off site. My husband and I would like to stay at a farm. I want to try to stay in the area that Stu Dudley recommended and I have found this farm stay that has availability. The rooms available are also not in the main house but in another building 2 minute drive away. I'm assuming I could walk there. Has anyone stayed in this other building and is the area a good choice?
Here are the links:
http://www.agriturismoilrigo.com/
http://www.agriturismoilrigo.com/_en/our_rooms.html


Stu? I looked through you postings and couldn't find the apartment you stayed in while in the Pienza area. Could you provide? thank you
ML

We stayed in town - not on a farm.
http://www.house-in-tuscany.com/home/4578322045

Stu Dudley

Here is a lovely place in a perfect location that we drove by a dozen or two times

http://www.agriturismoilrigo.com/_en/home.html

Stu Dudley

Also look at Fonte Bertusi in the same area.

Thanks Stu, That's so funny, it's the same one I am looking at. Thank you

This is great information. Thank you! My husband an I are planning a trip to Italy in May 2014. We'll be there for 10 days. We fly into Florence and then fly out of Rome. We are still planning our itinerary and trying to figure out how many days we want to spend in each location.

Thanks again for the great info!