we are planning 14 nights in Italy in May. We're restricted using our time share to staying at least 7 nights in a location. So we plan to stay in 1 town a week and another the 2nd week. For those seasoned Italy travelers, where are the 2 best bases to stay (a week at each) where we can take day trips etc and still see a lot of Italy? We were thinking a week in Venice and a week in Rome. But are there better choices? Definitely interested in the historical locations (ruins) as well as Tuscany, beaches etc. Thanks!

Your query is unintentionally confusing.

It sounds like there are only some places in Italy where you can go because that's where the time share are.

Why don't you tell us which places those are?

Rome and Venice are very rich in historical sites in themselves, but they are not ideal for people who enjoy taking day trips, especially people who enjoy driving in Italy.

"Tuscany" and "beaches" in Italy are mostly two different animals.

How strong is your interest in ruins? You can have a fantastic stay pairing Roma with the Amalfi coast (including Pompeii) if you are interested in antiquity -- but I don't know where your time shares are.

In truth, almost any part of Italy you can name makes for a fabulous base. So post more information about what's realistic and what's pleasurable for you.

Have you been to Italy before? Do you plan to to drive? (Strongly discouraged for Rome or Venice. Or Florence.)

Does your timeshare have an option in Venice itself, not the Lido, Mestre, or some town farther away?

Maybe you ought to just list your timeshare options.

We live in Italy and also have a timeshare. I would recommend one in Umbria or Tuscany to see hill towns if you want to rent a car and see some sights that way. I myself prefer Umbria (more authentic). You could even squeeze in a day trip to Rome and Florence from there is so desired. My husband is at a timeshare now in Venice -- they are hard to get but Venice is magical. From there you could do day trips to Bologna and Trieste.

Good luck and don't forget timeshares in Italy are not as nice as at home.. but hey it is italy after all.

Thanks for the replies to my question. In explanation, we are booking through RCI which has 192 locations in Italy to choose from. We have to book for at least 7 nights in the 2 locations we choose. It's our first trip to Italy so want to choose the 2 best places that allow site seeing in and around where we will be staying as well as easy day trips to other locales for more site seeing (historical and scenic landscapes or seascapes), shopping, food, whatever the location has to offer. We'll most likely travel by train for the day trips and between the two home bases that we choose. There's so much to see in Italy and we can only do so much being limited to 2 home bases the entire 2 weeks. Am hoping some will have suggestions on 2 best all around base locations that will allow us to see the most while we're there (if that's possible). ;-)

Given that you're using public transportation, Florence makes a good center, has lots of daytrip options. But Florence is of more interest to art lovers.

I second zeppole's suggestion of a week in Rome and a week in Sorrento or the Amalfi Coast. The latter has great scenery and lots of ruins: Pompeii, Herculaneum, Paestum. In this case, maybe fly into Naples and out of Rome.

If you can get a unit in Venice itself, go for it, but I suspect it will be booked for May already.

Have you looked at time share availibility in May? Those people I know who had time shares always had trouble getting rentals in specific locations, let alone popular locations.