Dan, are you sorry you answered the message re: Italy? You have become the most popular person going. I,too, am going in September to Tuscany, Umbria and Venice. Also, would love any names of places to stay, restaurants, sights not to miss, etc. Thanks!

On advice on Florence repeated: GET TO THE MUSEUMS EARLY, or you'll stand in line longer than you'll see anything...part Academia and Ufizzi. Oft overlooked museum, Museuo del Duomo (not just the Dome) is wonderful.

We are a young couple who are going fly + drive
to Bologna for one week in July. We like to live nice and cheep (if that is possible) we also like to visit Venice in that week and maybe go by the cost for some beaches. Is the west or east coast the best? Have anyone some recomendations for to do and see (a nice customized trip) for one week? Please tell us...

/kindly regards Karin