rbnwdlr

My husband and I (ok, mostly just me) have talked about staying for a month or 6 weeks in Italy for an extended vacation. We are nearing retirement age but it looks like there is a slight possibility that this could happen sooner - summer of 2013. If you were to stay in Italy for that length of time - renting an apartment or something like, where would you stay? I love Rome but I am thinking that a couple weeks there and another few weeks elsewhere might be better. What would you choose?

StCirq

My best trip, of many, to Italy, was 6 weeks just outside a tiny town in Umbria, close enough to Southern Tuscany to enjoy that as well as all of Umbria's offerings.

jelopez33

This trip is always in my dream(well for some 3 to 4 weeks):
1/3 Tuscany,with Firenze and Venice included;1/3 Rome; 1/3 Amalfi coast(Positano, Amalfi, Capri, a dat trip to Paestum; Ravello).Anyway, you can't make a wrong choice!!!!Enjoy

Jean

I think it depends on your interests beyond just being in Italy. Are you into cooking? If so, I think you'd want to be where fresh, local farm produce is plentiful. Physical activities like hiking and cycling? Then, no big (or even medium-sized) cities. Drop-dead scenery? Local festivals? Language immersion classes? Small-town/village experience? Local wines or crafts? etc. etc. etc.

Breaking it up (2-3 weeks + 2-3 weeks, or 2+2+2) could cover a variety of interests. I know in summer I would stay north. Mountains, lakes, maybe a small detour into France, Switzerland, Austria, Slovenia or Croatia.

Does it have to be summer?

bobthenavigator

Give me 6 weeks and I would stay in 3 locations, not one.
And, I would rent apartments at each. I assume that having a car is an option--if not, I would have different locations:
1. The Amalfi coast
2. Tuscany/Umbria---stay near Montepulciano
3. The lakes---picking a location is key here

Without a car:
1. Rome
2. Venice
3. Lucca

Have fun planning!

adrienne

I'd stay in the Parma or Bologna area as I haven't been here and do want to experience this area. From either of these towns you can take day trips to a variety of other towns and if the rent is inexpensive enough you could do an overnight in Florence or CT, etc.

But I would never do this in the summer as I hate hot weather.

rbnwdlr

I am a teacher so summer is it. It would be June most likely, as that is when we usually travel. We would have a car if we were outside of a city.
There are lots of 'ifs' for this trip but if the stars align and it happens, it would be heaven to me. Thanks.

zeppole

I would pick Friuli-Venezia-Giulia if I had a car. If I didn't have a car, and it was summer, I'd pick Naples (Vomero) or the Italian Riviera.

Jax76

If you stay in Tuscany or Umbria you will have access to a lot of great places. Are you going to have a car and do you want to cook your own meals? If so, the area around Gubbio and Assisi is gorgeous, and near to lots of areas, as are any of the towns in the center of the country. If you are thinking more along the lines of cities, Bologna is a great city and you could do day trips to places like Ferrara. Best thing is to figure out where you want to visit and to check driving times/train schedules.

galelstorm

@ St.Cirq - Where in Umbria did you spend your time? We stayed at an agriturismo in Bevagna, however it was only for two nights. I want to go back...
@ Jean - I like your thinking as it does depend on where one's interests lie. I LOVE to cook and took a cooking class in Ravello at Mama Agata's. The fresh local produce in Italy is amazing.
For me, I would go back to the Tuscany/Umbria area for two weeks, the Amalfi coast for two weeks, and never having been there before to Florence/Cinqueterre area for two weeks.

francoisebelle

Bologna is a fantastic city that people just don't seem to think about when planning a visit to Italy. It makes for a great base. I spend a month in Capri and two months based in Rome every year but that is because my two great loves are the sun and art history. Staying in Rome allows me to hop up to Florence and then on to Venice or I can pop down to Naples, if I feel like it. Summer in Italy, I couldn't live without it.

What do you love to do? Wander around art galleries, cook? Stroll around archeological sites, hike? Put together a list of your favorite things and choose a city or region that allows you to indulge. Italy is such a splendid country that I am sure you will have a fantastic time no matter where you choose to stay. Have fun!

Francoise

ekc

I strongly second Zeppole's suggestion of some time in FVG. We spent 3 nights outside of Cormons (after 3 nights in Asolo - also recommend time in the Veneto) and LOVED it. Such a gem and a relatively undiscovered part of Italy. Fantastic food, really really gorgeous scenery, charming small towns and very friendly people.
Hopefully one of these days I will get my trip report done so you can read about it!

yestravel

Agree that Fruili region is wonderful. not crowded, beautiful scenery, good wine and food.

roamer

Our Italy trips are usually:
2 weeks in Venice apartment (no need for a car)Day trips to Vicenza, Padua, other towns in the Veneto.
2 weeks in Fonterutoli apartment(near Castelina-in-Chianti).Need car, but easy to get to Siena, Florence, hill towns in that area.
2 weeks in Montepulciano apartment. Need car; easy to get to Rome, Pienza, Arezzo, many lovely towns in that area.
We have stayed in the same apartment in each place many times. If you are interested in any of the apartments, let me know.

StCirq

galelstorm, I stayed just outside Paciano in a place called Vacanze Ideale, which was a sort of mini-resort...very mini and very cheap and not really a resort...and exactly what I needed to explore the region.

http://www.vacanzeideali.it/pg.base.php?id=1&lang=

TDudette

I second bob's and roamer's choices.

I'd divide my time between 3 or 4 areas and take day trips. Starting in the south first and working my way north as the weather gets warmer. Although hub (may he rest in peace) and I were always tired at the end of a touristy day, we loved returning to a town large enough to have more than one restaurant. We also liked to base in cities with universities/

Flying into Naples or Rome and out of Venice or Milan could work.

What are some of your interests?

fueled

Hello Folks,
Yes if you do have information or recommendations on Apartments esp near Florence or Tuscany in general.. many thanks

galelstorm

St. Cirq - Thank you for the link. I love the location, so convenient, and the Vacanze Ideale is now on my list of places to stay!

StCirq

galestorm, you're welcome.

Actually, I was a little put off when I first arrived, as it seemed like a sort of commune" of sorts - I hadn't expected to be that close to so many other people. But as it turned out it was very quiet and peaceful, and there weren't even many people using the pool at any given time. The owners were always there to assist with anything, there were all kinds of fabulous restaurants within driving distance, it made a great base for visiting the entire Umbrian region (I especially enjoyed traipsing all over the towns around Lago Trasimeno), and the little châlet-like lofts were really comfortable and well equipped. I paid 300 euro a week in high season for a two-bedroom with balcony (as I think I mentioned I got a deal because a friend knew the owners, but even for twice that much it would be a steal).

Waldo

For about ten straight years, my wife and I rented in Gaeta, a beautiful and economical town, between Naples and Rome. The town is full of great restaurants and places to shop, in addition to being convenient to Naples and Rome by train. It also is very close to another lovely town, Formia. Gaeta has a beautiful beach and lovely mountains. I believe it has everything needed for an extended vacation. There are numerous apartment rentals always available. Another nice factor in my opinion, is that Gaeta is the headquarters of the American 6th Fleet. There are hundreds of American families there, meaning that there are American doctors and related sevices there.