Travel to Italy

[hotwine]

We've been talking about visiting Italy for some time now and are finally getting semi-serious about a trip next year. (I visited several times on business back in the '70s but couldn't take her with me, for which she's never forgiven me. So - time to atone for my sins.)

We're thinking about maybe spending a week in Rome and its environs and another week in Tuscany (and hopefully meet up with our Scottish friends for that portion.) Would love to visit some of the biggies, esp. the Marchese Piero Antiniori whose wines we much admire. Anyone have any advice on who/what to see? TIA.

[wondersofwine]

I recommend a couple days sightseeing in Florence and a day devoted to Siena (unfortunatley I have not been to Siena myself.) For contrast to Rome, very urban, you might want to visit some small hill towns or a coastal city. I have enjoyed the beach at Rimini on the Adriatic Coast and would love to visit Positano with its buildings "clinging to the rock face" on the Amalfi Coast.
http://www.positano.com/en/positano-info These are widely spread out towns and cities so it might not be possible to visit all of them.
I don't have any experience visiting wine producers in Italy so can't advise there although I do know that Castello Banfi welcomes visitors and has luxury rooms and suites at Il Borgo. There is a wine bus that leaves from Florence or Siena to Montalcino and Castello Banfi if you are interested in that.

Definitely try to arrange a tasting of Antinori wines.




[This message has been edited by wondersofwine (edited 04-28-2010).]

[hotwine]

Thanks Jane. We may try to share a villa near Siena with our friends for the second week and drive around from there. (I have no experience driving in Italy, but he does, traveling extensively across the continent as the Scottish national fencing champion, with saber - don't want to get in a knife-fight with him!).

[Innkeeper]

Agree with Jane that a visit to the Adriatic Coast would be worthwhile. There are beautiful towns and a gorgeous body of water that has received a bad rap in the past.

[TheEngineer]

You might be interested in reading about this posters experience on another site

http://www.wineloverspage.com/forum/vill...aldo+costa

[hotwine]

Thanks, I recall reading that when it was first posted.... mind-numbing in length but very well done.

[TheEngineer]

me too also his tastes are different than ours for sure. So his choice for visits might be different than ours.