Italy itinerary suggestions

[Anonymous]

DH and I are attending a family reunion outside of Siena. We have one week there so will do a lot of day trips in Tuscany.

We plan to add an extra week and will spend a couple of days in Florence and would like to visit Cinque Terre but I think 4 or 5 day might be too long there. Also, I've heard that towns just south of Cinque Terre ( like Portovenere) have similar atmosphere but may be less crowded. Any recs about how to spend these five days on the coast? Favorite places to stay? We really want atmosphere, food, wine, sun and water

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

A cute half-day trip could be to Fiesole, right outside of Florence. There are beautiful views of Florence from up there.

Also, do not miss Greve in the Chianti region. Research some of the vineyards (you could spend days there). Make sure you check out Castello Verrazzano. Fantastic wine.

[Anonymous]

Siena to Florence is a day trip fwiw.

[Anonymous]

Go and and see the folks at Via Umbria in DC -- my best advice is their advice!

[Anonymous]

Agree, 4-5 days is a long time in Cinque Terre. 2-3 days would be enough. My parents were just in the region and were able to tour a marble quarry just south of Cinque Terre, which they really enjoyed. (When I went to CT we traveled by train and didn't have the flexibility to go off the beaten path like that, but my folks had a car.)

Agree about Fiesole, it's really pretty.

My husband and I adored Lucca when we were in Italy in 2006. It's a beautiful small city, great food, surrounded by medieval walls that you can walk or bike along the tops of.

[Anonymous]

Also agree about Firsole. Stayed there for part of our honeymoon and loved it.

While in Tuscany, visit San Gimignano for amazing views and beautiful town. Highly recommend a wine tasting at Tentuta Torciano. Wonderful wine and food - had the best lasagne (sauce less!) of my life there!

[Anonymous]

Friends of mine stayed somewhere in Liguria below the Cinque Terre - looked nice. Maybe look for more specific ideas on TripAdvisor?

[Anonymous]

Highly recommend Puglia -- we stayed at Borgo Egnazia for a week in September and it was amazing! Better prices than Amalfi, very Mediterranean area. it's really spectacular!