Lovers of Italy
After traveling in France with wife, I will head off, unfortunately, solo for Italy. My plan is as follows: arrive Venice 30 Sept for 4 nights, depart via train for Spello 4 Oct, rent car and stay for 4 nights, depart via train for Rome 8 Oct, depart Rome for Boston via Madrid with overnight in Madrid. Sounds weird but I save on the free air miles 'taxes' by going that route vice direct to Boston even with the hotel thrown in. I have some doubts about whether I am trying to do too much, ie would it be better to spend more time in Venice, say 5 or 6 nights and go directly to Rome. On a previous trip, I was able to spend 4 quick days in Rome and fell in love with the place and want to do some 'slow travel' there. See the art, walk the city, sit in the piazzas and relax with a carafe of wine....every day! Actually, the same can be said about the entire 14 days. Opinions welcome. Lastly, I arrive in Madrid at 530pm and depart next day at 1230pm. Any ideas?
Thank you

Just an FYI that there are no car rental agencies in Spello. There's a Europcar in Foligno, which is one town over on the same train line. It's about a ten to fifteen minute walk from the station and a ten minute drive from there to Spello.

I don't think I would want to spend 5-6 nights in Venice. We were in Rome 9 nights and did't scratch the surface, so I would spend more in Rome and soak it up! There is more than plenty in and around Rome for " slow" travel.

I think your plan sounds great. Don't skip Spello. It's still one of my favorite places so far in Italy! Plenty to do in the area for a 4 night stay. I hope you are staying at Palazzo Bocci.

I love Spello, too. We stayed a week last year and are spending another six days next month. Having a car is helpful, but you can get by prett readily without it if you'd rather not bother.

Thank you all for your responses indyhiker, thanks for the tip, I have been renting from Europcar for the last 9 years. Generally through the Auto Europe call center here in Maine. Question "Having a car is helpful, but you can get by prett readily without it if you'd rather not bother." Are you indicating that the train service would be sufficient to explore the surrounding area? Dayle the plan to stop in Spello is based on your earlier advice on my previous post in February....thanks

Like others, we loved Spello. Spello is serviced by train and buses so you can get around pretty well but you can really only visit one or two other towns each day. For us that was more than enough and didn't miss not having a car at all. Options include Spoleto, Trevi, Bevagne, Montefalco, Foligno, Assisi, Perugia, etc.

trenitalia.com for trains and http://www.umbriamobilita.it/it for buses. Foligno is a bit of a transport hub. Buses go from outside the Foligno train station.

Everyone has a different opinion but I wouldn't take time from Venice to add to Rome. In the unlikely case that Venice doesn't meet your expectations you can always do a day trip from there or move on to somewhere else.

Venice is surrounded by great places to visit, plus the lagoon itself. If you have a good base there I'd stay there rather than hit Roma

The OP stated that he really wants to spend more time in Rome after having a shorter visit the last time. Plus, his travel plans have him departing from Rome.

I think it is a nice plan as is, with Spello offering a nice break between the two cities.

OP, you might do a separate post with your question about time in Madrid. Since this post is tagged Italy, Madrid fans might not be tuned in.

The more posts I read the more I become committed to the plan as is. mama_mia thank you for your insight on the additional post to Spain. Only 5 months to departure for Provence, Paris and the rest. I am counting the days especially since it is snowing here in Portland ME. Enough! I need some warmth.

I'm glad I made Spello sound good enough for a visit. It seems there are several fans here. I'm just sorry to hear your wife can't go with. Maybe you will just have to start planning the next trip!

Buon viaggio!

I'm glad I made Spello sound good enough for a visit. It seems there are several fans here. I'm just sorry to hear your wife can't go with. Maybe you will just have to start planning the next trip!

Buon viaggio!