Hello-

I had thought my return flight would be rerouted out of Pisa instead of FLO but now it looks like FLO will reopen by May 22. I had planned to spend my last few nights in Lucca (closer to airport for 6:30 am flight and ending in a smaller town preferred).

But though Lucca sounds lovely, I'm considering switching plans. I hope I can make this simple. I'll be coming all the way from Puglia up to Florence in one day and splitting my last week between Florence and Lucca. But now, if it makes sense to be closer to airport at the end, I don't want to go over to Lucca first and then to Florence, adding yet more time to what will be a long travel day.

So, I'm thinking of spending those 3 nights somewhere else in Tuscany or Umbria on my way to Florence. Are there towns where you can rent a bike and ride around or to another town or are they too hilly?

I like eating, wine, gardens, outdoor activity (hiking, biking, hot springs), food markets, music, sitting and people watching.Smallsih but not a one-cafe town. And not as big as Siena.

Any opinions about Orvieto vs. Montalcino or Montepulciano or Cortona. Nice to hear what people like about places.

I won't have a car. Traveling alone.

Thanks for input. I know it's all very personal. I'm thought I was done planning for a while!

I won't advise you, other than saying that I'm thinking of staying in Orvieto before a flight out of Rome. But I think you mean FLR (Florence, Italy) rather than FLO (Florence, South Carolina).

All of your choices are wonderful towns. I think Orvieto makes the most sense geographically. It is a nice size town with plenty to do, good restaurants, caves and a beautiful Duomo. We used Orvieto as a starting point after Tuscany for our visit to Puglia 2 years ago in May. Great time of year to go! Save Montalcino/Montipulciano/Pienza area for another trip when you have more time there, as there is much to see and experience in southern Tuscany, and you don't want to rush it.Enjoy Puglia (where will you be?)and have a great trip!

Thanks guys. FlR, yes. Not South Carolina, nice as SC is.

Thanks Palma for your input. I love the idea of the caves in Orvieto. I'd like to be able to do some wandering.

In Puglia I'll be in Ostuni for 4 nights and Trani for 3. I know they're close together but I'd rather stay in 2 places and wander close to them. And if I want, I can go further afield for day trips if I want.

If you're nearby to Monopoli on the Puglia coast, Sunday pranzo at Lido Bianco is a rolicking good time.

And, of course, I recommend Orvieto only because I Sette Consoli is my favorite restaurant in all of Italy.

HELP!!!! A very positive, well-educated, decent, quiet, non-smoking married couple from Moscow (28 and 30 years old) is looking for a clean and light flat or little villa near/on a sandy beach in a nice, green area of Sicily. The period of intended stay is from June 24, 2006 to July 22, 2006. Maximum Price: 1500 Euro for the whole period of stay. Please e-mail with photos of your property to e_yanyuk@mail.ru

Dale, if that's your favorite restaurant in Italy, I wonder if I can afford to eat there! Can you tell me a little more about it?

Jane,

I've stayed alone in both Orvieto and Cortona and I loved them both. I love Orvieto for it's scale and all that it offers for such a small town, and Cortona for it's charm and air of romance. I actually went from Cortona to Orvieto and then on into Florence and I had an incredible time on my own. I stayed in several other places as well, but Orvieto and Cortona were the standouts.

I think Cortona might offer you more in the way of hiking and outdoorsy type things to do. I've always heard that there is great hiking in that area...

You might want to try Chiusi as well. Its a little north of Orvieto, right on the A1 and has a nice train station.