We will have one week in CHIANTI,does anyone out there have specific ideas as far as 1 and 2 hour rode trips to take? We do not want to see Florence too crowded. Leaving 5/19. Thank you

Other than visiting the vineyards throughout the region you can head south to the area around Montalcino, Montapulciano, Siena etc. If you have a week I would go to Cortona and Assisi. The Castle di Brolio in the Chianti region is outstanding , as well as all the wonderful restaurants along the way! San Gimignano is a beautiful walled town ( a little more touristy, but lovely)-- We could spend weeks exploring this area of Italy-- also don't forget the monasteries! <BR>Mary

We just got back home from Italy, actually we went to a couple of the adjoining countries also, but we spent 5 days in Tuscany and I really loved the Chianti area.(although I did not have near enough time to see much of it) <BR>I definitely recommend a drive to Castellina in Chianti. I hope to go back and stay in the area in the near future. We stopped at a little winery that had wine tasting just west of the above mentioned town. We were on hwy.S429. <BR>I would also recommend going to San G. and Volterra. As you go down the hill from Volterra towards the coast,(about 1 to 2 miles from Volterra)on S68 there is a large alabaster shop called Scali that has beautiful and inexpensive things. I loaded up my suitcase with alabaster presents that everyone has really enjoyed! <BR>My husband and I have the same opinion about Florence. I really enjoyed the Statue of David, but would not go back to Florence. <BR>If I can answer any other questions you can e-mail me and I will try to answer them. <BR>Have a great trip. I know you will as it is so beautiful. I did not expect it to be so green, but it is. My husband said it was because it was spring and that it why it was so green. I think it probably is all year round.

Phyllis, I see you are leaving tomorrow! you still have time to check out my web site on our trip to Tuscany - it's got lots of ideas.... <BR>http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/5733

I have not done this yet but I have this information <BR> <BR>Chianti Driving Tour <BR>The following is adapted from Bon Appetit Magazine, October 2000 <BR>Highway S222 links Florence and Siena and is known as Via Chiantigiana. In Florence see the 6-hundred-year-old Palazzo Antinori, headquarters of the wine dynasty. The Cantinetta Antinori serves Tuscan fare and wines. <BR> <BR>Out of Florence, travel south on S222 and you'll see the beautiful Tuscan landscape of olive trees, vines, and cypress trees. You will come to Castello Vicchiomaggio, which produces Chianti Classico wines and some proprietary reds. The cellars date to the 9th century. <BR> <BR> <BR>Many of the wineries are in the hills just off the Via Chiantigiana. Nearby is Castello di Gabbiano, erected in the 12th century and still producing fine Chianti Classicos. <BR> <BR>Near Greve, Villa Zano produces Chianti Aziano and is one of several estates owned by <BR>Ruffino. <BR> <BR>Isole e Olena is a large property to the west of the highway, and is an 18th century estate next to a 14th century village. <BR> <BR>Back on the S222 you'll come to Fontodi in a valley south of the village of Panzano. It has a proprietary Super Tuscan called Flaccianello della Pieve, pure Sangiovese grapes. <BR>Farther south is the charming village of Fonterutoli, whose chief business is wine-making. Castello di Fonterutoli is a favorite winery. <BR> <BR>Upon entering Siena, visit the Enoteca Italica Permanente, housed in a former fortress. Websites with info on wineries: <BR>www.kilkelly.com <BR>www.discoveritalia.it <BR> <BR>