Scarecrows

Hi all. I'm looking for some suggestions in regards to small towns or villages to visit in northern Italy. We are already planning time in several cities and would like to spend a couple of days relaxing in a more relaxed setting. Any suggestions?
Cheers.

massimop

This is a wonderful website to use. With only a few exceptions the towns that are named are mostly unknown to foreign tourists, which adds to the enjoyment of being there

http://borghipiubelliditalia.it/borghi/

vincenzo32951

Vittorio-Veneto is a nice little town. There are several wineries nearby that you can visit or stay at.

HappyTrvlr

Thanks for the great link Massimop!

bobthenavigator

Orta San Guilio !

ekc

"Northern Italy" is a large area. Generally what regions are you looking to explore?

Scarecrows

ekc,
I probably should have been more specific. We are looking at the region between Firenze and Venezia. A large area I know, but we are travelling by train between Roma and Venezia, and a couple of quite days somewhere would be fantastic.
Cheers.

P.S. Massimop - A great website...unfortunately my Italian is less than proficient, but it does give me villages to research. Thanks.

massimop

If you want to hike in mountains, try Marradi. Or take a look at Brisighella for access to both mountains and seaside, plus a pretty town with great food in itself. You actually don't need a car to get to either of these towns from Florence but you do need to take a dogleg to the east, away from a direct route from Florence to Venice.

If you don't want to spend too much time on trains, there are a number of small untouristed towns right near Florence that would fit the bill, most of which can be reached without a car. Pistoia and San Miniato come to mind, as do several of the small towns in the Mugello.

You also might want to take a look at the website Rossi Writes for small towns nearer to Venice (it's in English!)

http://rossiwrites.com/italy/veneto/...orthern-italy/

massimop

Also take a look at Chiusi if you want a Tuscan hilltown and only want train travel. And here is a link to the Mugello valley area. Some of these towns have train stations with a commuter line. From Rome, you just switch in Florence to the commuter line.

http://www.turismo.intoscana.it/allt...gello-tuscany/

To get to Brisighella from Rome, you take a train to Florence and switch there to the commuter train that also goes through Marradi but carries on to Brisighella. Heading on to Venice from Brisighella, take a train to Bologna and switch there.

And yet another option: Take a train from Rome to Bologna and switch to a commuter train for the lovely small town of Vignola, especially if you like pasta, castles and chocolate cake.

http://www.visitmodena.it/english/to...ory-in-vignola

Keren

Thanks, Massimop, for such wonderful information. I keep learning from you. A thread to cherish, as I'm a devoted train traveller myself.

Scarecrows

Many thanks Massimop. Wonderful info and many choices. Cheers.

massimop

Glad people are getting something out of it. It's possible to have some exceptional & unique travel experiences in these little-known villages, for hardly any money. The food can be amazing.

In Marradi there is the beautifully restored Palazzo Torriani. They have grand bedrooms and also a perfect little apartment (They will cook a meal for you if you pre-arrange._

http://www.palazzotorriani.it/it/

This agriturismo just outside of Vignola is a 20 minute walk into town, but in addition to being a cherry farm (which is the prize product of Vignola) it is also an acetaia that makes the province of Modena's famed traditional balsamic vinegar.

http://www.lacortedemilio.it/

This place in Brisighella is a short walk from the train station & the historic center and has beautiful vineyard views, a swimming pool & a good restaurant

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bn51WICqqeo

MmePerdu

Since you mention a different area than I first imagined, I suggest Barga, not too far northeast of Florence. I visited on a day trip by train while staying a week in Lucca and thought the old town and hills on which it sits very beautiful. The newer town, too, is nice and I found everyone I met friendly and seemed a long way from tourist-fatigued as there were few of us there.

Here are my pictures:
http://www.travelgumbo.com/blog/gallery-barga-italy

frencharmoire

If you decide to go to Barga it is also possible to take a train there from Pisa. Devil is in the details as to whether it is faster/simpler from Rome to take a train to Pisa and switch or take a train to Florence, another to Lucca and switch to one going to Barga. Check both options to see which suits you better.

Many of the places being mentioned are much nicer weather-wise at some times of the year than others, and be alert that some have festivals which can be fun or a nuisance if they overwhelm the town with crowds and noise.

Scarecrows

Thanks to all for your suggestions and tips on how to get there. It has given me much to ponder! Cheers.