We have 3 days in London (which we've done several times), 4 days in Paris then 7 days with friends in the Sienna part of Italy. We have another 7 days to fill in before flying back to NZ from London. Would prefer a base from which we could do interesting day trips. Quaint villages rather than cities or large towns. This will be from the 11th to 18th September 2004. Suggestions would be really welcomed. There is just the two of us.

Hi Jane,

Are you going to skip Florence and Venice?

Assuming your reference to the "Siena part of Italy" means that you will be only in the near vicinity of Siena, I would suggest you try to explore southern Tuscany or Umbria villages. My favorites, all small and very charming, are as follows:
-Castiglione d'Orcia
-San Quirico d'Orcia
-Castel del Piano
-Piancastangnaio
-Montefalco
-Lucignano
-Abbadia San Salvatore
-Santa Flora
-Arcidosso
-Montemerano
-Pitigliano

Guess that's enough for you to consider. These are all really wonderful little villages, any of which would be a pleasure to visit. Good luck.

We have already visited Florence & Venice and thought they were wonderful. I was thinking about a complete change of scene. Perhaps somewhere in the South of France although I'm not sure on the type of accommodation you would get there for two people as villas seem to cater for larger groups.

We were in Tuscany last fall and wished we had had more time there instead of rushing off to the Amalfi Coast. You could easily do 2 weeks staying in 3 different areas (or just one) Siena itself could take a few whole days, eastern Tuscany at least a few (Cortona area), Chianti a few (between Florence and Siena) and Western Tuscany a few (Siena to the coast or Florence to the coast). Or you could head to the Cinque Terre for a few days.

Go straight to Lago Como--do not pass go--and then up to Luzern, for 3 days each, and fly to London from Zurich. You have to see the Alps, and Lago Como is the nearest thing I have found to the natural spendor of your home.