Good day everyone. I am going to Italy for the first time and have many questions, that I'm finding great help with from this message board.

My husband is a mobilized reservist for one year and are are meeting in Venice in October for 2 weeks. Our "planning" itinerary is:

Venice 10-14 - 10-20-2005
Tuscany 10-20 - 10-28-2005

Since we've never been there we are looking for any suggestions that would help our planning. We don't want to move around from hotel to hotel, but want day trips from the two areas we have selected and then explore the major areas where we "are".

Any input and help is greatly appreciated.

Lee

TravelerLee03,
I would suggest you look at apartment rentals for a week in each area. The best place to look is on Slow Trav. See http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/vr/reviews.asp
for reviews of different rentals. In Tuscany I like southern Tuscany. Feel free to e-mail me if you have questions.

Hi Lee,

Enter "Hotels AND ..." for Siena, Greve, Montalcino, San Gimignano, Montepulciano, Arezzo, Perugia, Assisi in the "Search this Forum" box for many places to stay.

Have a great visit.

TL - what a wonderful trip you have planned to meet up with your husband.

Think about if you want to rent a car, or stay in areas of tuscany that allow you to travel by train/bus. I drive enough at home, so I like the public transportation Italy has to offer, but there are certain destinations where having a car will make your life easier.

Write again when you have specific questions, and you will find the board very helpful. - Trav

I would start with 4 nights in Venice. Then rent a car and head out into the countryside. Bologna, Verona and into Florence for a night, then S toward Seina, Pienza, Montalicino and Montepuliciano. see Tuscany.net, stay at least 2 nights in any one place. Congrats!