paulmpatrizio

This will be my wife and I's third trip to Italy. This time we will have company in the form of a 10-month old baby, so not moving around a lot is a priority.

To give some perspective, our first trip to Italy was Venice, Chianti/Val d’Orcia, Rome. Our second trip was Florence, Chianti, Val d’Orcia, Umbria, Abruzzo.

For this trip, we have narrowed our focus to the following:
1. The Val d’Orcia
2. Lucca & the Garfagnana
3. Emilia-Romagna
4. Lake Garda & Verona

We have 23 nights in Italy.

I am debating to choose between 3 or 4 of these “regions.”

Option A (1 base in each region):
1. The Val d’Orcia – 6 nights
2. Lucca & the Garfagnana – 5 nights
3. Emilia-Romagna – 6 nights
4. Lake Garda & Verona – 6 nights

Option B (split regions up):
1. The Val d’Orcia – 7 nights (all nights in either Montepulciano or Pienza)
2. Emilia-Romagna – 8 nights (3 nights Bologna, 5 nights Modena/Parma)
3. Lake Garda & Verona – 8 nights (5 nights Lake Garda, 3 nights Verona)

Open to any thoughts or suggestions? Which option would you choose? Is it silly to drop Lucca area?

Thank you.

LouieBru

Both options look good and extended days in a few places means you won't be rushing too much - it is a holiday after all. We loved Lucca when we were there in May & would love to return one day.

Saraho

I would drop Lucca and add the extra days to the other places. Lucca was just not nearly interesting enough for us to spend five nights there.

paulmpatrizio

Hi LouieBru - where did you stay in Lucca?

Jean

What time of year? If it was my trip, and depending on the timing, I might prefer to spend a few days in the Dolomites rather than so many on Lake Garda. But I understand how the baby affects the plans, and you could certainly enjoy a slow pace on the lake.

Were you planning on having a car for the entire trip? Drop the car when you arrive in Verona. You won't need it while you're there.

FWIW, you'll get a variety of views on Lucca. The second time we visited Lucca was an attempt to understand why we weren't in love with the place like so many other people are. We failed, but you may succeed.

OTOH, the Garfagna region has a lot to see/do.

paulmpatrizio

Hi Jean - this will be May 2017. I was shying away from the Dolomites mostly because of baby. I have car rental booked for entire trip. Going to keep it that way. I value the convenience more than the parking costs.

I'm starting to lean away from Lucca.

kybourbon

I'm not a fan of Lucca either. If you include that area, i would stay elsewhere.

I would not include Bologna with a 10 month old either. A car would be a hassle there and public transport is packed. To me, Bologna is just aa crowded and touristy as Florence.

packed

We did like Lucca and found it to be a friendly city. Eight days might be more than you need in the Emilia-Romagna area. Montepulciano is not by any means a large town, but is larger and has more shops and restaurants than Pienza. The town of Pienza is flat and easier to walk in, as Montepulciano will give your legs a good workout. We also liked Verona.