RooB

On March 11 (2008) my husband and I are visiting our daughter who is in Florence for this semester. We've never been to Italy. We fly into Rome and will spend 3 nights there (I know, not really enough time but it will be getting close to Easter and we don't want to be there at such a crowded time). We then take a train to Florence and spend a week there. Then our daughter will have her Easter vacation, and we are taking her to Tuscany for at least 4 nights. We'll rent a car for this part. We have a reservation at a B&B near the Fiumicino airport for our last night (3/28), for an early flight back to the U.S. on 3/29. The question is what to do for our last 2 nights and 3 days between Tuscany and the "airport" stay. Our B&B in Tuscany is in Buonconvento, between Montalcino and Montepulciano. We figured we would do a few day trips from there. Should we stay on there and just do more day trips? Is it crazy to think of turning in the car and getting on a train and trying to go to Pompeii and maybe Capri for a day, then back up to Rome by 3/28? I don't get what the train and time commitment for that would be like? Equally crazy to drive up near Cinque Terre, turn in the car up there for those days? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

TuckH

> Our B&B in Tuscany is in Buonconvento, between Montalcino and Montepulciano. We figured we would do a few day trips from there. Should we stay on there and just do more day trips? < YES!

Buonconvento is a very good choice - a very central location. From there you can easily radiate out to most all of scenic central Tuscany and the most attractive hilltowns.

And YES, it's "crazy to think of turning in the car and getting on a train and trying to go to Pompeii and maybe Capri for a day".

That's my opinion...

MaureenB

If you're interested in the Cinque Terre, I would definitely work it into your schedule. You could train/drive to Santa Margherita Ligure for two nights, from which you can day-trip to Portofino and the Cinque Terre.

That would give you 4 nights in Tuscany and 2 nights on the Ligurian Coast, which is gorgeous.
>-

TuckH

re: Cinque Terre

I question whether the weather in March would be suitable - maybe others could comment...

mamc

Cinque Terre is likely to be chilly and windy in March and there is not too much to do there indoors. The hiking would be difficult in bad weather.

Have you considered returning your rental car to Florence and taking a train to Venice for 2 nights and 3 days? You could then take the train to Rome for your last night.
Venice is easier to get to than CT and more unique and wonderful. And there would be more to do in March.

RooB

These are all great and helpful tips. Hadn't considered Venice but we are quite open to all these suggestions. Thanks to everyone who has written!

RooB

What about the lakes region? We wouldn't mind being around some water. But is the weather in all watery locations likely to be rainy/cloudy/chilly at that time?

eurogals

I agree, you should try to get Venice in if possible. It is an easy train ride from Florence and also an easy ride back to Rome.

Loved the Cinque Terre, but a bad time of year to go.

Pompeii too far to go and you have to take the Circumvesuviana train from Naples or a boat to Capri from Naples. Go to Venice it is much better in my opinion.

bobthenavigator

That is not a good time for any of the water destinations. I would move over to Umbria for 2 nites and see Assisi, Spello, Bevagna et al. Look at Palazzo Bocci in Spello.

RooB

Thank you all again for your suggestions. We will consider them all - have to figure it out soon!