10 days in Italy - where oh where do I go?
 

The situation: I’m a 30yo solo female traveler, spending 10 weeks in Europe. I’ll be heading from Barcelona to Italy on Feb 22nd having spent the previous 6 weeks exploring Portugal and Spain. I have 10 days before meeting up with DM (rosetravels) on March 3rd in Rome and traveling to Umbria, Tuscany and the Marche.

What do I do with my 10 days?!?! I’m really into food and wine, weird saint body parts, and am willing to rent a car. I’d like to stay in 2-3 different areas and include Bologna in the itinerary, if possible. I’ve been to Venice and Florence and don’t want to go back (on this trip at least) and have also been to Rome (twice, but always happy to go again)

I could fly into Milan, Venice, or Rome.

Option 1: Milan, Piedmont, and Bologna
Option 2: Rome, Naples, and ???
Option 3: Bologna, Sienna, and Rome
Option 4: Some combo of any of the above?

I’m facing the paradigm of choice – there are so many wonderful places to see and do and so little time. Thoughts?

A trip I've wanted to do is use Bologna for a base and from there see Ravenna, Parma, Verona, if practical (I haven't looked up the travel times).

Definitely visit Ravenna to c the beautiful mosaics. It can easily be done as a daytrip feom Bologna. Padua is a great town with the Scrovegni Chapel. Verona is nice as is Vicenza. Or got to Mantova which is a charming town. you could easily do a combination of these towns either by train or car.

I suggest flying into Milan (or Torino, if that's an option for you) and splitting your time between Torino and Bologna. You wouldn't need a car, because Milan, Torino and Bologna are all connected by fast trains.

Torino is a wonderful city with an interesting variety of museums for indoor activities on chilly February days. From there you could do day trips by train to smaller cities like Asti and Alba. Or, you could have a third base in a smaller town or rural area of Piemonte, if you want to rent a car and explore the region that way. Piemonte's food and wine are among the best in Italy, and I imagine you could probably find some weird saint body parts as well (it is Italy, after all).

I just rent a car in at Malpensa airport <Milan> to go to Nice and Monaco in France. We visited the outlet shops near Milan and it was worth it in my opinion that could be an option for your trip. http://www.mcarthurglen.com/en

Tolls in Italy though are quite expensive.

How about Sicily? - you could see quite a lot in 10 days, and you would have the best chance of getting some decent weather.

more churches and saints than you can shake a stick at.

Tuscany is great for body parts, so you will have a great time there!

But I really like the idea of basing somewhere and going to all those places that have been suggested. Verona is my favorite place in Italy, but Vicenza could be. It is hard to choose between Padova's Scrovegni Chapel and Ravenna's mosaics, so do both. I haven't been to Mantova nor have I been to Ferrara, but friends tell me that both are fantastic.

If you can base in Bologna, that would be great, though the station is slightly inconvenient to the center of the city for the kind of day touring we are all recommending.

You will have a huge advantage in that this is decidedly not tourist season. Some of these areas are going to be a bit bleak, particularly as you pass through the Plain of the Po, but there you go.

For February I would pick Rome and Naples. For one thing, it will save you lugging heavy winter clothes that you won't be using in Portugal and Spain. But even though I quite like Bologna and Milano, I simply wouldn't choose it for a February trip when I could be in Rome and Naples enjoying spectacular sights and incredibly delicious food (especially in Naples) at lower prices and I get to be comfortable walking around outdoors all day if it is sunny.

PS: I just noticed some people are advising you to rent a car in central and northern Italy in February. If you decide to go there, plan an itinerary that keeps you in public transportation. Even if you don't get snow or ice, the fog in that region is so famously thick, it impeded road travel.

I agree - for a solo trip, public transport is the way to go.

even with GPS, driving by yourself is no fun. on the train you can read, nap, even chat to fellow passengers. it always feels much more like travelling, IMO.

Naples definitely has the advantage of being way less expensive than NItaly & would be warmer. Check out our TR of Southern Italy that begins in Naples. Wherever you choose in Italy it will be great!

This has all been so helpful, thank you! You have sold me on Naples.

How do I best divide my time? I’m thinking five nights in Naples, but do I then spend another five in Rome or split between there and a third location?

And what are your favorite day trips from Naples? Looks like Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Caserta (UNESCO sites!) are doable, but any others that can’t be missed?

bubbly - the obvious place is Sorrento - a great place to stay and to day trip from.

Annhig - I know people love Sorrento, but is it very lively at night? I enjoy bustling city life and staying out rather late.

it's a while since i was there, but i can't imagine why it shouldn't be - it's quite a big place.

you might like to search the forum for mention of Sorrento, I can remember quite a few threads by people who have stayed there more recently than me.

I'm not sure I would opt for Sorrento and environs in the winter. I think Sicily is a great idea - the weather is probably the best you can find in Italy in February.

oops, I'd forgotten about the February thing.

I'd just go for Naples and Rome in that case.

I agree with Naples and Rome. When in Naples, I would take the train down to Salerno and then the bus or train down to Paestum. Really great Greek ruins with a nice small museum. But most importantly, the home of mozzarella di buffala!!!!! We visited Vannulo in October and their products were amazing.

You could also take the bus from Naples to Positano, and then the SITA bus all the way down the Amalfi Coast to Salerno and then the train back to Naples. I would highly recommend stopping for lunch at Acquapazza in the small fishing village of Cetara and picking up some colatura to bring back with you. Amazing stuff.

Thanks, all! This has been very helpful!