It seems to have taken a couple of months, but I finally confirmed my last hotel reservation today! I'm so excited Thanks to all who made suggestions; especially about Val d'Aosta and the north.


Four nights at Hotel Villa Rinascimentosituated between Lucca and Pisa. From here we will visit Lucca, Pisa, and Volterra.

Three nights in Levanto at Villa Margheritafor visiting Cinque Terre. On the way to Levanto from Pisa, visit Carerra and the nature preserve Oasi Massaciuccoli for birding.

Three nights just outside of Alba at Villa la Favorita.for wine, food, and more wine.

Three nights in Cogne (actually Valnontey) at Hotel Herbetet. Hike and bird the Gran Paradiso Nationl Park. Roman ruins in Aosta, castles, maybe a trip to Courmayeur if there is time.

Two nights in Orta San Guilio at Hotel Santa Caterina. Originally we had planned just one night here, so that we could return on Saturday and have a day before going back to work; but it just seemed like such a nice place to relax for our last day, maybe take a boat ride around the lake--I convinced the spouse to come home on Sunday. He may regret this on Monday morning when he will have to go to work!

So...now all I need is a plane ticket! Still waiting for those February fare sales. I figure the prices can't get much worse. Right now best fare I have is $1179 on, of all things, Iberia (into Pisa, then Delta out of Malpensa.)

Janet
www.jczinn.com

Janet, I am SO glad Carrara is on your to-do list. Before I got to your writing it, I was pouncing on the keyboard to suggest it to you as a- 'see'.
Rob bought a black marble pyramid up at the musea cavè store and he wishes he'd bought more.
He also picked up a 'white' marble cube.
Enjoy your visit there. Be sure to check road conditions. We started up the designated road and were turned back when we were almost to the main museum with the trains that transported the marble on display and I don't know whatelse.
We did go back down and up again on the other side.
Once we were there we walked an old cart path, through a cave, and over an outlook. Cool place, we will return the next time we are that north.
Wendy

Sounds like a great trip Janet!! I am putting together a page on our favorite Levanto pizza restaurant and favorite caffe - will be posted soon - we really enjoyed Levanto. The trail from Levanto to Monterosso was a great hike.

Pauline from Slow Travelers

Thanks Pauline...I am staying in Levanto on your recommendation, and I trust your advice! It sounds like the perfect location for the CT. I will be printing out all your Levanto and Cinque Terre hiking pages.

As soon as I get a flight I'll put it all in the trip calender section. Until I get a flight I still don't quite believe it is happening

Janet
www.jczinn.com