italynovice

Last year two friends and I took a 15 day trip to Italy in October, spending 5 nights in Rome, train to Florence, two nights in Florence, then rented car where we spent a week in Tuscany, staying in one lovely agriturismo in chianti for three nights, then another outside of montepulciano for four nights, with leisurely daytrips during the days there.

This year, we would like to return to Italy for a 2 week trip in September. We would like to spend 2 or 3 days in the Chianti area (about 45 minutes from Florence) at one of the agriturismos we stayed in last trip, taking a cooking class one day and exploring a few more of the tiny villages in the area, which was very enjoyable. We got to know the owners well and would like to see them and be there during harvest, if possible. We would also like to, at least briefly, visit Venice, which we did not see last trip. Does anyone have input on some other region to include and a possible itinerary for a two week trip that would incorporate the above? We are in our 50s, not big hikers but love beautiful vistas, lingering meals, and like driving if it helps explore a particular area. We would rent a car for at least part of the trip, certainly in Tuscany. One town on the Almafi coast? We could fly in/out of whatever makes the most sense, given our itinerary.

Any thoughts?

Mimar

Yes, there's lots more to see in Italy. Consider flying into Venice and spending a few days. You can pick up a rental car on your way out.

So where else in Italy? You mentioned the Amalfi coast; that can eat up several days with visits to Pompeii and Capri. And more time if you want to go to Paestum, Herculaneum, Naples, Ischia.

Then there's the beautiful Italian lakes, set at the base of the Alps: Como, Maggiore, Guarda, etc. and the Ligurian coast: the Cinque Terre, Portofino/Santa Margherita Ligure, etc. And Umbria: Assisi, Orvieto, Spello, Todi, et al.

Lots to see in Italy. All of the above are in northern Italy. You could limit yourself to northern Italy, fly into Venice as I said and fly out of Milan or Pisa.

Michael

Browsing through these photos might give you some idea. I think that I geo-tagged most of them.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...7622914503405/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...7622914855341/

bilboburgler

Have a look at Puglia, lots of vistas

CaptCanuck

Last time we were in Tuscany, we then went on to spend 4 days in Umbria, staying in Montefalco, where we enjoyed some great meals and explored some different towns.

You could also simply add another region of Tuscany as well since we continued to discover new things on our travels there.

Another option is that from Florence, you could take a train and visit Cinque Terre and stay there for a few nights. It's easy to get between the 5 towns with their trains. That's something else we did on a previous trip. We enjoyed Manarola when we were there.

cheers,
CC

Wekiva

I'm not an expert on Italy. But during our last visit we spent some time in the Dolomites. Head north from Verona to Bolzano and then northeast into some of the most beautiful mountains you'll ever see. We stayed near Ortisei at a family hotel called Uhrerhof Deur that was one of our favorite hotels we've visited. We rented a BMW had had a blast on the mountain roads (at least I did...wife got sick). If you're into mountains then I'd recommend the Dolomites

bobthenavigator

I would stay north this trip--fly into Venice and home from Milan and include both the Dolomites and Lago Como. Save south Italy for your next trip.
Here is Venice and the Dolomites:

http://www.slowphotos.com/photo/show...y.php?cat=4440

http://www.slowphotos.com/photo/show...y.php?cat=4441

KAlles

I would see Venice, it is just such an extraordinary place. And then I would go south of Siena in the area of Pienza and Montalcino. It is very different from the Chianti, and driving around exploring is great fun. Plus lots of small villages with great restaurants. Last time we were there we discovered a lovely Enoteca with deliscious food on a small square in the tiny village of MOntefollonico. This alone was worth the trip!
And if you want to be more adventurous, I wold head down towards Umbria for a few days, staying around Perugia in an agriturismo. An what a lovely month of the year you have chosen! Katharina

summer08bride

I would definitely see Venice! I'd also consider doing the Amalfi coast. We are in a similar boat -- we did 15 days in Italy and did Rome, Florence, Venice with all of the big museums and sights -- and we are now doing the Amalfi coast, Capri, Naples and Pompeii for 11 full days. I expect it to be a very different trip but equally great!

italynovice

Thanks so much for the pictures and ideas. I've got lots of homework to do now in terms of reading about these areas. Once I digest all this, I'll write back with more questions or rough itinerary and get your input again.

italynovice

Well, my friends and I decided that we want to spend several days in Tuscany again, exploring some new areas, and visiting a place we enjoyed before. We also want to spend the last day or two in Rome to do an indepth tour of the Roman Forum and end our trip. So...., to see something new, yet encompass the above, this is my current thinking:

Fly into Venice, spend 3 nights

Train to the Cinque Terre area, probably staying in Monterosso, spend 3 nights
Any suggestions on a place to stay either there or in Vernazza?

Rent a car and drive to Greve in Chianti, spend 5 nights there; can do day trips as desired

Return the car in Orvieto and take the train into Rome, spend 2 nights
Fly out of Rome

We still want to see Lago Como and the Dolomites, as well as the Almafi coast, but that will give us an excuse for future trips! Does this itinerary sound ok?

ekc

Your new itinerary looks good! Be sure to check out Panzano while you are driving around Greve!

bobthenavigator

Looks good !
It takes several trips to see Italy. We are going back for our 17th in May.