Wanting a central village north east Italy to stay for 5 weeks..
Any thoughts?

Village as in the text, or town as in the heading?

Town: Urbino, Gubbio, Norcia

Village: Poppi http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...57622914855341

What do you consider north-east Italy? For me, that would be north of Bologna and east of Brescia. And, yes, village or town? Do you need/want train service?

Bologna, Padova, Verona, Vicenza, even Parma. Look at the railway map in the area and decide how many day trips you would like to take in the 5 weeks. Depending on where you settle you could do Mantua, Ferrara, Venezia, Ravenna, etc.

What do you consider a village? The European designation is generally a place with fewer than 2,000 population. Do you really want to be in such a place for that long? Fine with me if you do (my commune in the Dordogne is about 300 people, but what I do there and what a tourist might do are very, very different).

How are you traveling? How many of you are there? How old are you? What are your interests? Why did you focus in on this part of Italy? Do you want to rent? Will you have a car? We need loads more information, and it doesn't really sound as though you've hit the guidebooks and maps and done much basic research.

I appreciate your responses ....all asking valid questions!

Here WAS the plan: go to Venice for 2 weeks in mid Sept. We've spent many many weeks in Venice and looked forward to returning. After those 2 weeks our plan was to drive to Venezia Friuli (Pordonone) perhaps stopping for a night or 2 in Vicenza. Head back to Venice where friends would meet us and we'd stay for another 2 weeks and head home.

Problem: there is a modern art festival in Venice and "our" hotel is booked as are all of the other hotels I know and love. I made a reservation at a hotel I am not familiar with that had so so reviews but was probably OK. As we are booking in total, one couple for 4 weeks and one couple for 2 weeks the hotel will not confirm unless we give a non-refundable deposit. I COULD take out trip insurance but I am unwilling to do this because this hotel is not a place I feel committed to. My husband and I are 76 yrs old as is our friend...but her husband, also our friend, will be closing in on 92 by next October. Who knows! I understand the concern of the hotel and do not fault them. Also, because of the higher than normal demand for rooms the prices are quite extraordinary....even higher than usual.

And this is why we are looking at other places to go to. We want very much to be in Italy. Over the years we've spent time in Rome, Milan, Turin, Siena, Lucca, Pisa, Verona, le Marche, Umbria, the Dolomiti, most of Tuscany, Piemonte, etc....most of the larger cities as well as Sicily and the Aeolean Islands. We've been traveling to Italy each year for many years. We have not travelled to the Apulia area and for some reason I can't get my husband excited about that. We have also not traveled much of the area NW of Trieste so thought we'd think about it - but for 5 weeks! I also can't see our 92 yr. old friend being happy in a big city even though there is great art music etc.

I'm beginning to run out of ideas and could use help.... Obviously. I apologize for such a cumbersome LONG post but best to put it all out there so you understand...

Vicenza, is a charming city with lots of architectural interest, Palladio etc., and lots to see in the area around it if you're interested in architectural history/villas etc

Have you considered an apartment rental in Venice for the month, the terms may be different than the hotel?

Of the places you've already been, I don't see mention of the Emilia Romagna. Loads of small-to-medium-sized towns, great food, art, history.

Two very different places but we LOVED our stays in Parma and Cormons. The scenery around Cormons is just stunning and it is fun to hop over to Slovenia for the day. The people were amazingly friendly (esp for northern Italy) and the food fantastic.

We also stayed in Asolo, which was charming and maybe better placed. Not at all touristy and some charming cafe's and beautiful gardens. A popular place for Brits to own vacation homes apparently.

But both Cormons and Asolo would require renting a car. Parma has great train access and is a gorgeous town.

I don't see the Italian lakes on your list - might that be an option?

Again, Thank you. I appreciate all the suggestions. I like the idea of Asolo and have heard it is very beautiful. Also Parma. Will now look into Cormons and, the idea of Slovenia is intriguing. We've been to Bologna - stayed there 5 nights but did not travel about Emilia Romagna as on that trip we did not rent a car but took trains here and there. So that area too is a possibility. We have been to the lakes region and loved it but...would like to go to places we have not been to IF we can't go to VENICE! We've considered renting an apartment and for the period of time my husband and I are traveling that might be a good option but for the 4 of us we feel a hotel is best. Yes, one might think the opposite would be more logical!
Onward!