lovelady: yes. been there , and a beautiful city at that, but I guess we should omit the "just" word in the description.!
We spent two weeks in Sienna one time, and another time 2 weeks in Sorrento.(loads of side trips both times)

Florence IS a big city, for those who really love museums, and shopping mostly. (architecture etc)'
I think some people enjoy the smaller, interesting Tuscany towns a little more. "to each his own,,,no right or wrong. OK? (:>)

I'm interested in going to Italy in the end of January/early February. What would the weather be like in Venice, Milan, Portofino, and Lake Cumo. I haven't decide which place I'm going to. I think I'll pick out 1 or 2 places to visit. I'll be working on the Torino Winter Olympics middle of Feb. but I want to do some side travel. Can I use Milan as my base and do side trips to Venice, Portofino/Cinqa Terra by car? Or should I just stay overnight at these places? I can stay up to 2 or 3 days at each place. Any thoughts on this, anyone? Thanks.