Plans change

I've made a few changes to my itinerary. I think I will stay in Assisi for 4 nights instead of 6 and then go to Perugia for a couple of nights. So I now plan to leave Assisi on Tues 13th March and go to Perugia. From there I will go to San Gimi as planned. I can stay at this hostel which is in the centre of the old town of Perugia and gets good reviews. I might need to buy some warm clothes. I would like to go to Gubbio for the day. There is a cable car which goes up the nearby mountain and apparently it is nice to go walking. I have read about a Gubbio ring walk in a book called Walking and Eating in Tuscany and Umbria.
In the same book and another book I've got - Walking in Italy (Lonely Planet), I've read about a San Gimi circuit walk. I could stay at this B&B overnight about halfway round the circuit..
I've changed my accommodation plans for Montalcino. I now want to go there for 2 nights instead of 1. I sent an e-mail to this B&B. They have a vacancy but they will debit the first nights accommodations costs from my credit card, which I'm not really keen on. So I think i will just 'wing it' and see what is available when I arrive there on Thurs 22nd March. There's a site which lists the affittacamera or rooms to rent so the Tourist Office should be able to direct me to a room. I decided not to stay at the Hotel Giglio as it is a bit above my price range and the room I was offered doesn't have a view.

Battery rechargers and other necessities.

On the left is my MP3 player. I will have podcasts of radio programs, my Italian lessons and music to listen to. It also has a FM tuner so I can listen to Italian radio. Far below is the charger for the batteries for my camera and below right is the charger for the MP3 player.

Luggage

I am taking this trolley suitcase. The dimensions are 22"*16"*8". I think this is legal for carry-on baggage, but I will probably check it in as I will have a daypack for my carry-on. I'll also take the little black shoulder bag to carry passport, wallet and other valuables. I just found it at home. I bought it to take to Shannon's wedding. Sorry to say I can't upload the image of the little black bag. I must have exceeded my upload limit.

Siena Saturday 24th, Sunday 25th and Monday 26th March

After staying one night at Montalcino on Friday 23rd March and visiting San Antimo Abbey the next day (Saturday 24th March) I will return to Siena. The bus time table is here. I can catch a bus from Montalcino at 1445h or 1830h direct to Siena. I can either stay at Palazzo Bruchi and/or this B&B on the outskirts. It might be an idea to stay at Palazzo Brucchi on the Saturday night as then I would be inside the town walls for Sunday. There is also a Youth Hostel north of the town walls but it doesn't have very good reviews. I will have 3 nights in Siena and leave for Rome on the Tuesday 27th March.

Next stop Montalcino 23rd March

I may stay in Lucarelli for an extra night or move to to one of the towns on the bus route back to Siena for the 3rd night, Thursday 22nd March. Castelina in Chianti may be a good spot to stay. I can catch the 1520h bus from Lucarelli to Castellini. And then on Friday morning I can get the 0909h bus from Castellina to Siena(arrives 0945h) to link up with the 1050h bus to Montalcino.
On Friday 23rd March I have booked at Il Giglio hotel. This is my most extravagant accommodation. E77 per night for a single.

I want to go to Montalcino for a few reasons:

• to see the area south of Siena which is known as the Crete.
• to visit the Abbey of St Antimo where you can hear the monks singing Gregorian chants
• and because Montalcino is supposed to be a beutiful hilltown. It is where the book Vanilla Beans and Brodo by Isabella Duisi is set and it is also the home of a famous wine Brunello.