KMacK_ca

We will be driving from Milan to Brindisi in April, sticking to the Adriatic coast as much as possible on the way down. The return trip is undetermined both in route and duration. It will depend on how long it takes us to make the trip down. We are renting a small motor home and will have 12 days to cover the roughly 900 km. We aren't worried about how long the trip back to Milan might take as we could do that with one marathon driving session if necessary (certainly not desirable but it won't be sightseeing, simply driving back to Milan on perhaps the shortest/fastest route possible.)

We have a very tentative itinerary. Does anyone have recommendations for 'must sees' that are off the beaten path? We have spent a fair amount of time in Italy already so we don't need to hit the big spots. We have seen all the major cities and are really taking this trip to see the other parts of Italy. We want to enjoy the coast line and see the trullis and sassis in the south but otherwise we are free to plan.

I look forward to your suggestions.

jamikins

We have done that drive and it's not the most scenic. You can't see the sea most of the time and the beach areas are built up pay for use areas covered completely in beach chairs or owned by hotels.

Some places you may want to stop
Emilia romagna - Parma, Modena, bologna. http://www.flickr.com/photos/pug_gir...7637221873063/
Le Marche - we love www.latavolamarche.com and have been three times http://www.flickr.com/photos/pug_gir...7634528008046/ Ascoli Peceno looks nice too but we haven't been

Don't miss out on Puglia itself. We spent a week there in 2012 and loved it http://www.flickr.com/photos/pug_gir...7635047994978/

Hope this helps!

jamikins

Forgot about the mosaics in Ravenna, definitely worth an afternoon or day

http://www.sacred-destinations.com/italy/ravenna

KMacK_ca

Darn. I should have mentioned that Emilia Romagna is my favorite place on earth and I have spent a lot of time in Parma, Modena, Ferrara, Rimini etc, having lived there briefly. We will likely just drive through this time (if we don't end up renting out of Bologna.)

I am looking forward to LaMarch and Puglia. There are a few national parks we want to hit along the way as well.

My research suggested that we weren't going to be getting a lot of ocean vistas along the way so we are prepared for that. We also hope that in April the crowds won't be at the beaches yet!

jamikins

You may be interested in our trip reports, we also loved Emilia Romagna but our hearts are in Le Marche!

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-dolomites.cfm

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...rche-lucca.cfm

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...t-do-italy.cfm

Happy planning!

KMacK_ca

Thank you for posting your trip reports and links to your photos. It sounds like you feel about Le Marche the way I feel about Emilia Romagna! I left a little piece of my soul there when I moved home...

One question about your photos: what camera are you shooting with?

Props to your partner in travels for the Canada sweatshirt!

jamikins

No problem...and yes, we love love love le marche! Sigh, wish we were there now!

I use a Nikon D5200 but just got it last year. Before I had a D70.

He doesn't leave home without his CDN sweatshirt haha.