CollegeKid21

We are a pair of 21 year old girls from the midwest. Although I'm aware we are travelling in peak time, I would like to avoid the huge american crowds if possible. Looking for a nice sample of beautiful Italy. Countryside recommendations?

SeaUrchin

You only want to avoid Americans?

There are many places Americans have rarely set foot in, but they are not on the mainstream travel circuit.

Check out Southern Italy (the heel and the toe of the "boot&quot

Intrepid1

You mean you don't want to ADD to them...mid-Lake Como is also possible.

Don't forget, there is a reason people tend to crowd into certain places.

willit

It is difficult , because Italy has so many beautiful regions, each with their own attractions. For sheer natural beauty, I think the lakes are hard to beat. You could combine a visit to Lake Garda with a trip to Venice.

I know Venice is possibly the worst possible place to go if you wish to avoid tourists, but it is beautiful and unique.

SeaUrchin

CollegeKid, keep in mind that
you are tourists yourselves
-like Intrepid said there is a reason tourists like yourselves are there
-you are asking alot of Americans here for advice so you will want them to have experience
-if you really want to avoid tourists go off on your own in "undiscovered places"

eroz

It'll be hot so stay mid to North.
3 days Venice, 3 days FLorence. day trip at least once out of Florence to San Gimignano (small hill town). this will give you a taste of cities and some of the Tuscan countryside, but you won't be bored! I loved Lake Como formy honeymoon but not a lot going on for 21 yr olds.

rex

See http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34747025 regarding Isola d'Elba.

Especially...

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Author: gertie3751
Date: 02/01/2006, 06:11 pm

Elba: In 10 years of visiting, I never met an American.

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Best wishes,

Rex

RufusTFirefly

In all my travels to Europe, I've never encountered huge American crowds.

I have encountered huge crowds, many of the people in those crowds were Americans, many were Japanese, many British, many German, many French, etc.

But I can't remember any exclusively American crowds.

bradykp

ischiia....i didn't see any americans in ischiia.....all the americans go to capri. florence is amazing. rome is amazing. who cares if you see americans! you're in italy, don't look at people, look at the art!

suze

6 nights is a very very short trip! I don't think there is time for much of a "sample" of the countryside. I would pick one place, or two max.

Do not expect to see huge american crowds, while you will see tourists in the popular places, they will be a mixed group from all over the world.

Tuscany? The lakes region? Areas outside Milan? Sicily?

I assume you are planning to travel by train?

ira

Hi CK,

I suggest Fly into Venice (3 nights), train to Florence (3 nights) daytrip to Siena.

Fly home from Florence FLR or Pisa PSA.