Thanks Tom. I wouldn't have changed my mind about flying into Rome even if your post had been made before I booked our flights. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> I am intent on flying non-stop and not renting a car, so staying in Rome near the sights will work best for us. The culinary program in Tuscany is the main part of the trip anyway, so we'll see lots of the countryside then. We do have a day and a half at the end of the trip, and Pisa is on the short list of places to go.