CarlyJ

I'm leaving for Italy this Sunday (woo-hee!) and am curious about some roads.

The plan is to drive from Venice to Urbino and I'm flirting with the idea of going down the Adriatic coast. Is it prettier to go that way via Ravenna, or are there more scenic routes inland via Bologna? I'm looking primarily for pretty, not sightseeing

And while we're on the subject (or I am, at least), are there any must drive, knock-yer-socks-off roads in Umbria you can suggest? We'll be in Gubbio, Assisi, Deruta, Spoleto, Orvieto etc. I'm armed with my map and up for anything--please send suggestions! Thanks.

Grandma

It's been awhile, but we found the drive from Urbino to Venice unpleasant. No scenery , lots of trucks. If you check a green Michelin they document a beautiful drive from Urbino to Sansepulcro (I think that's the route.. again twas awhile ago.)

adrienne

I did the drive from Sansepulcro to Urbino and it is indeed lovely. But it's a difficult drive - 2 mountains of switchbacks.

Grandma

Ah, Adrienne... we were young when we did the drive... didn't even notice the difficulty. Let's hope CarlyJ is 28!!

CarlyJ

Grandma--how did you know?! I am indeed 28. Thanks for the advice on the Urbino-Sansepulcro road.

I'm thinking maybe there's a better way to get to Urbino from Venice than the coast...anyone have a route they want to share?

Grandma

Good grief! I'm psychic. As an alternate you'd probably have to swing inland and I forget what that entails. If time is limited you might just want to grin and bare it to get to Urbino quickly.

Grandma

Whoops!!! That should be... grin and BEAR it -