xgapeach1

My husband and I have been to all of the big cities in Italy, and most of the medium-sized. We did a week in Tuscany (Greve/Strada) for my 40th and now I want to go somewhere in Italy for my 50th and take 5 or 6 gal-pals along. We won't do any sunbathing, we all love to shop and eat good food and would love great views and the ease of day-trips. We've done the Tuscany thing (going to Sienna, Montepulciana, Florence) and would like to explore other areas. We're going to Piedmonte next Fall, so I don't want to do that again.
I've considered the Amalfi Coasat (again) because of the ease of the hydrofoil going to different towns. Any ideas from my Fodorites?
I've also considered Paris and taking day trips to other areas....or Madrid (which I personally love) and doing a few train trips.
I'm have a lot of ideas but feel that maybe someone has done this before and has other good ideas. We're looking for a house that sleeps 6, preferably separate bedrooms; may end up with just four of us going..

StCirq

Umbria. Somewhere around Chiusi or up in the hills where all the spa towns are.

Blueeyedcod

You don't say time of year or budget- and are you willing to rent a car or would you prefer to just stay put and explore using public transportation?
Abruzzo is a beautiful region, as is Puglia but both are best seen using a car.
Shop/eat good food/great views/day trips - have you considered Sorrento? It fits the brief.

http://www.sorrentotourism.com/en/tourist-guide.php

PalenQ

How about Sicily and if you have a car a central base can yield easy day trips to many great sights.

PalenQ

Taormina is a good watering hole that is well situated for Scillian day trips by car or public transportation - like Mt Etna ascent; Catania, Syracuse, Agrigento, etc.

jamikins

If you are willing to rent cars and depending on the time of year...relatively untouristed Le Marche is our favourite part of Italy:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/pug_gi...57634528008046

bvlenci

I've been living in Le Marche for 17 years, and I have no desire to live anywhere else.

rialtogrl

I spent my 40th in Sicily staying just outside of Taormina with four girlfriends. It was a great place to hang out with friends for a week. We made day trips to Catania and Siracusa but I think Agrigento would be a bit far for a day trip. Taormina is very beautiful and you may not even want to leave it We stayed in a big villa with five bedrooms and five bathrooms and a sea view - killer.

Having said that, I just turned 50 in Paris and that was also wonderful. But I think if you want to find a big place that will hold all of you, Taormina would be a good place to look.

annw

I went with my 4 sisters to Italy (2 had not been before) and we got an apartment in Bellagio and took trips around the lake.

Let me second Umbria for another area to explore -- you could base in Perugia and travel by train (if you wish) to Spello, Assisi, and many other towns.

Not sure if Liguria is out, but Cinque Terre comes to mind as well.

Three friends and I are taking a week-long course in Ravenna -- Emilia-Romagna has much to offer. That said, I'm going solo to Urbino in Le Marche before we meet up -- a place I've long wanted to see.

annabelle2

I spent my 50th in Italy & Spain including a week in Umbria in an agriturismo. Pretty perfect week! Near or near enough to Bevagna, Montefalco, Assisi, Perugia.

Ackislander

Verona

Cute shops
Quaint streets, plaza
Museums, operas, history, churches
Gelato
Day trips to Vicenza, Padova, Venice, Lakes

bilboburgler

with this many people you could hire a masseria in Puglia between Leece and Taranto, great shopping, eating drinking. With the low prices down there you can get a mini-bus to take you around or get a plaaner to do a special local tour

nochblad

You don't say when you plan travelling. This can impact on the choice of location.

mhutch196

I think the Italian Lakes are so beautiful. You could do Milan/ Lake Como or Venice/Verona/ Lake Garda.

https://www.walksofitaly.com/blog/co...kes-garda-como

I haven't been to Lake Garda but am planning a trip there in early summer.

If you're thinking France, we just loved Uzes. Good location, beautiful town but not too touristy.

Whathello

I'd go to Venice.
of course you've been before but one never tires of Venice... always lovely, full of life, shops, food.

I love Torino but for 5 days it may be too much. But not far from lake Como.

Have fun.

ekc

I took a group of girlfriends and my mother (5 total) to the Amalfi Coast for a week in June and everyone loved it. I was the only one who had been to Italy before (none of them had been even to Europe). We rented Villa le Sirene in Positano and took day trips to Capri, Amalfi/Ravello and Vietri/Cetara. We took a vineyard tour with lunch one day, and took a cooking class in Positano one day. We ended with 1.5 days in Rome so they could see the big sights. We flew into Naples and out of Rome.

I ended up loving Positano so much that I now rent an apartment there for a week each June.

iris1745

Umbria has been suggested. We stayed a week in Montefalco and my wife and I rented a small house for 8.

villazuccari.com/en and this is the building we were in. villazuccari.com/en/la-casetta and it does have A/C if this is a summer visit.

This for us was so convenient to either visit villages in either Umbria or Tuscany.