HI! My friend is on her way to Italy this week- lucky dog!! I told her I would ask opinions on this site about side trips from her villa in Umbria.
She would love to go to the coastline. I suggested Cinque Terra but after checking out the map we thought maybe someone could suggest somewhere closer.
Thens for the help!!
Vino

It is a bad idea to try and get to the costline while staying in Umbria. For a few reasons.

First, you are in Umbria. Umbria is a beautiful region, with a particular landscape, glorious hilltowns, the highest concentration of art in all of Italy, fine wines and really great food.. Why go to Umbria to leave for another location?

Secondly, you are in one of the few truly landlocked regions of Italy. There really isn't a quick, direct route from Umbria to either coastline. If one wants to combine the hills or mountains with the coastline, try basing in Le Marche and/or Abruzzi. But since she is already booked, I suppose that advice is too late.

Umbria is gorgeous...I still miss it, and I could go back ten times and still not see all it has to offer. I hope your friend wisely decides to enjoy all of her time there.

Dear Vino,

Just where is your friend's villa? That info will help with recommendations.

Vino, I will be going to Rome, Florence, Venice and Paris next year. I will be spending a bit of time in Florence and would like to take a couple of side trips. My choices are Sienna, Umbria and Tuscany. Which do you prefer and why?

Oops, I meant to address my message to Faredolce. Sorry!

I too would stick to Umbria. Its a lovely region with more than enough to offer. I don't think that there are any good beaches that are close enough to daytrip too.

Tracy

Thanks everyone! During one of our trips to Italy we stayed in Iano- 15 minutes from San Giaminano. During this vacation we took a side day trip to Cinque Terra for a change in scenery. It was gorgeous! I told my friend I would see if anyone had done anything like that from Umbria.
btw- I'll post one of these days about our trip to Northern Italy- Venice, Dolomites and Lake Garda. It was an incredible trip and I'd love to share some of the highlights!
Thanks again!
Vino

Madison,
From Florence, (which is in Tuscany, by the way), my favorite side trips have been to Siena (but spend the entire day there, don't try and squeeze it in on an hit-and-run), Volterra and Lucca.

It is also great to take the scenic route, the 222, into Chianti and visit some of the hilltowns of Chianti - Volpaia, Greve, Raada in Chianti, Panzano, Castellina...

When you say "my choices" - do you mean that you are on an organized tour?