Who: Paula Sullivan, Jerry Bennington, Barbara Vucich, Michael Whitehouse and Judy Page
Where: Selva, at a restored 15th-century farmhouse near Lucca (abbondanzatoscana )
Best meal: I Santi, a small neighborhood restaurant in Lucca. The food is exquisite, the wine list amazing, and the owner, Leo, was most helpful in recommending wine pairings.
Best deal: Each small town has a market day. The roast pork sandwiches with juicy meat cut from the whole roast pig are delicious. Or pick up a selection of cheese, salami and fresh fruit from several vendors for your own picnic.
Best time to go: We traveled in mid-to-late October. The weather was still pleasant enough to need only a light jacket or sweater during the day, and there were no crowds.
Best travel tip: Learn some Italian. You can get along in most places with English, but the Italians seem to appreciate the effort you make to speak their language and are gracious and patient when you do.
