pauleau

Hello good people,

I am going to be spending four days in Rome with my older sisters in July. They will decide on what we do then.

But then I have five more nights on my own and I'm thinking I'll want to get on a train and do some low key traveling. I like nature, the water, and history and art and everything except things that cost a lot of money. Wine, bread, peace and quiet.

I thought about Puglia, but it sound like it will be super crowded and hot in July. Maybe go towards Bologna?

Will this be possible at all in July?

jnjfraz

All of Italy will be hot in July.

Since you love the water why not go to the coast and join the other Italians.

treplow

You might enjoy the Lake Country. I am partial to Lake Garda (Sirmione, in the old town)), but each of the other lakes has its own appeal.

latedaytraveler

Another vote for the Lakes region - beautiful mountains, lakes, villas, microclimate,some palm trees, vineyards etc.

nytraveler

In July in italy I definitely wouldn't head south - esp not without an AC car and great AC hotel and a wonderful pool. (We try to do Italy in May for warm but not hellish weather.)

You should definitely look into the lakes. We like Maggiore - esp the Borromean islands. Larger and smaller towns, some sightseeing - and plenty of cute villas to stay in.

Dayle

I would recommend the Dolomiti! Spectacular scenery, hiking, far fewer crowds.

Buon viaggio

pauleau

Thank you all very much. I will look into all of the places you suggested and most likely be back for more specific suggestions once I decide. Right now I'm researching Maggiore, Dolomiti, and Lake Garda.

I really appreciate all of your posts! Grazie!

franco

Puglia will not be crowded - it never is. But if you want to avoid the heat, then of course, as everyone said, the north is far preferable. Puglia is perhaps Italy's hottest region.

pauleau

I'm not afraid of the heat, moreso the crowds. If I can get into the water, I'll be happy. Any Puglia swimming recommendations?

pauleau

I've done some looking and some thinking. Since I fly home from Rome, I don't want to spend 7 hrs on a train back and forth from Rome to the Lake Region, although it sounds beautiful. I'll only have five nights.

I won't have a car. Will be traveling on my own. I don't want to stay in a hotel that makes me feel like I'm in the US. And I don't have tons of money. I am hoping to pay $100/night at the most for hotel or apt or cottage. I've lived in west Africa so I'm not a spoiled traveler, but I want safety.

So, I've looked at "homeaway" and so many of the places in Tuscany say "car necessary". I'd like to stay in only one place, a home base, and then train around.

My thoughts are Livorno, Florence, Naples, or Venice. Any suggestions. I know it's a bit scattered.

My favorite movie is Almost April.

Zerlina

Do you mean Enchanted April?

Forget Livorno: it's an industrial port city. Venice is almost as far from Rome as the Lakes region and notoriously expensive. Naples is not to everyone's taste: it's a gritty, chaotic city.

Florence is best on many counts: it's quite close to Rome, full of interest in itself and with many daytrip possibilities by bus or train.

Whether you're talking USD, CAD or AUD, your budget is around 72/73 Euro. It's doable, but you won't find an Italian castle at that price. Go to www.venere.com, enter your dates and budget and see what comes up.

Mimar

But Florence will be very crowded and very hot in July. Venice will be extremely crowded also.

How about a smaller place that is reachable to that bigger city? Like Sorrento instead of Naples? Or Siena instead of Florence? But both of these use buses (and boats) instead of or in addition trains.

pauleau

Yes. Enchanted April!

Thank you for your responses! I'll check into the smaller places. And probably be back with more questions!

Ciao!

vito80ba

Hi pauleau,
as "terrone" (Southern italian) I suggest my region: Puglia.

You have a lot of choice, I suggest for a no-beach tourism the Itria Valley (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Itria_Valley) in the center of Puglia.
Especially in Martina Franca there's an international 'liric' music festival in July (http://www.festivaldellavalleditria.it/).
From this area you can reach Matera, Alberobello, Noci, Fasano, Ostuni, Cisternino.

Puglia is not (still) too expensive. For reach MArtina you can catch a train Rome > Bari and then Bari > Martina Franca.
There are a lot of country houses (agriturismi) and B&B.

Vito

humptynumpty

"But then I have five more nights on my own and I'm thinking I'll want to get on a train and do some low key traveling. I like nature, the water, and history and art and everything except things that cost a lot of money. Wine, bread, peace and quiet"

Sardinia fits perfectly. It is a very short flight or short ferry journey from Rome.

Some of the coastal resorts will be busy. It is a huge islands and so it will be easy to find quiet seascapes that are the best in Europe. We are going for 2 weeks in July, which will be our 5th visit.