btw, i should probably tell u guys that i took ur advice, i did go to sicily, LOVED IT!!! amaaaaaazing food there... would LOVE to go back! and i was able to stay in lucca for a while, and it was lovely as well.... something different from the surrounding areas...

asim, thanks so much for ur advice, but im already back!!! :D i had a great time, and i'm witness that your words still hold true ;)

I've been to Tuscany three times and it is a fabulous place. Generally late spring and early fall are the best times to go, you may encounter some rain in October. I don't know if driving is an option for you, but it will help to have a car if you plan on seeing anything except the Florence and Pisa. Pisa, IMHO, is overrated. There are lots of cute little towns (San Gimigano, Siena, etc) and it is fun to be able to stop and soak it in. Driving in Italy can be challenging and many people are scared to do it, but I didn't really have any problems. You might be OK if you drove in Spain. I would not recommend driving in Florence or Rome however. I would also recommend stopping in Rome for a couple of days on the way to Tuscany as there are amazing sights to see in Rome. Try the gelato and pasta in every city!

Guys, thanks so much for your responses, they're really helpful!!!!

I guess I'll be visiting Tuscany, mainly, but I would love to see Sicily, (i've wanted to since I saw the Godfathe :D ). I didn't know it was under Muslim rule... it must have a really great history there, I'd love to see the mix of cultural influences.
I went to Spain last summer, and I think what I liked most about it was how diverse it was. We rented a car and drove from the north coast to the south. it's nice to see how much the surrounding countries influence the regions, not to mention the Islamic art and architecture in the south.

oh, and Aliya, i think the towns that were destoyed by Vesuvio are Pompeii and Herculaneum. ( dont know if u meant those or not) :)

Intelligence, I wish u the best on ur October trip, it sounds like an amazing plan. Traveling by train is a great choice, considering the alternatives....... I would definitely not recommend renting a car there!!!! unless of course, ur from mexico city (like me :P) and ur used to small roads and ireverent drivers lol
oh, and pisa is a good idea too, i've never been there!

Intelligence ... ma che si!!! posso venire??
I AM SURE THAN U NEED SOMEONE TO TRANSLATE U ANYTHING...LOLZ and that person is...me ah ah ah. ok we will see inshallah. so Paris, Zurich, London the Tuscany, waouh a bunch of trips coming!!!

Italy is simply amazing, every lil town and every city has its own rich history. one could spend months there. i've only been to Rome, Florence and Venice but I too would love to go agai and see Milan and Sicily and whats the name of that town which completely drowned under an overnight volcano eruption...hmm

do check out Sicily, it was ruled by Muslims in the tenth century and still has a strong muslim influence. the siciliy of mafiasos and conservative Italians. :P

Aouicha, you should come!

aww...Intelligence, lucky you, i have seen a report on Tuscany...such amazing place!!! Mashallah...beautiful...enjoy it!!!

I'm going to Tuscany in October, I'll be staying in a small medieval town called Lucca and hoping to take the train to Pisa and Florence from there! I've never been to Italy before but everyone raves about Tuscany, right? ;)