A short and efficient totalsynthesis of cytotoxic natural (+)-varitriol has been accomplished in eight steps from γ-d-ribonolactone and 2,3-dimethylanisole in 41% overall yield. The key features include a highly stereoselective introduction of methyl at a carbonyl group and installation of the side chain with the aromatic portion by Julia-Kocieński olefination at C5 of the starting carbon skeleton