6 days free! But where? Bologna? Lake Garda? Ligurian Coast? Elba?
 

30 days with a car, flying into Milan, picking up car at Malpensa. Me and my husband, and we have driven in Italy before. No changes please on that. Like agriturismo or B and B type accommodations. September.

Itinerary:

5 nights Alba, Piemonte

6 nights...?? could do 3 nights and 3 nights? Interests are from Verona, Lake Garda, Bologna, Modena? Parma? Or a spot on the Ligurian coast? Elba sounds quite interesting. Should I go on into Tuscany and stay around Lucca? Or drop the car at a parking lot and stay three days in Florence? We have been there, but really trying to utilize the fact we have a car and stay in smaller areas. Really want to be a bit leisurely, What do we love? Beautiful landscapes, Roman ruins, great food, local scene. We do love being on the water, not sunbathing, but seeing the coastline, local cuisine (did I mention that?). We have seen many wineries, more interested in natural beauty than "another wine tour". Not so interested in cooking classes type stuff. Done a few, and they seem too touristy. Sorry, no offense meant. Been to Lake Como, Maggiore, Orto. Venice, although wouldn't mind being that direction, never been to the smaller areas around it. Also the Dolomites are quite interesting. Too many choices.

4 nights Greve in Chianti, Tuscany

5 nights San Quirico, Val d'Orcia, Tuscany

5 nights Umbria (haven't booked but thinking near Spoleto/Trevi/Montefalco??)

4 nights in Rome, Monti (turning car in at airport)

Any ideas are greatly appreciated.

Your list of possibilities are all over the place, both geographically and in atmosphere. Yes, too many choices. You need to spend some time (and research) thinking about what you'd most enjoy... a busy city (Verona, Bologna, etc., with their ZTLs) or quieter countryside (Elba, more Tuscany - more ZTLs, Dolomites, etc.). You did say "more interested in natural beauty," which for me would be the Dolomites with perhaps a night or two at Lake Garda, although I'd want as much time in the Dolomites as possible.

Are you leasing a car? If not, have you priced the one-way car rental?

Thank you for your reply. Yes I have already secured a car. And I realize my ideas are all over the place. That is why I am asking for input. 😉

Beginning to think I could shave a day off of Alba/Piedmont and do four days in the dolomites, and then 3 nights on Elba. if you have any input, I would appreciate it

Or, stay in Spello, Umbria. We spent two wonderful weeks there using it as a base for exploring the area.

Well, this is all so personal and subjective... I am not you, but I've been to all of these places. I wouldn't reduce the days in Alba/Piemonte, as I love this area. I don't know where you'd place the Dolomites in the itinerary, but the drive from Alba to, say, Ortisei would take the better part of a day (without a lunch stop or view of Lake Garda). Then, down to Greve would be most of another day (without a lunch stop in, say, Modena). In this scenario, I wouldn't spend less than 5 nights in the Dolomites and would rather have 6 nights. But you could easily spend some/most of the extra nights in Umbria if exploring small, charming towns is more appealing that gaping at stunning mountain/lake scenery, taking some easy hikes, etc. I will say I enjoy the food and wine in Umbria more than in the Dolomites. If you haven't been to Rome before, I'd want another night there as a first-timer.

We've stayed in Spoleto, Todi and Bevagna. I'm not as charmed by Spello as many are. In Chianti, we enjoyed Castellina and Radda more than Greve. In the Val d'Orcia, we enjoyed Montepulciano more than SQ. But, again, this is very subjective.

Meant to add that ferries to Elba with a car are frequent but not cheap. The sailing only takes an hour, but you have to arrive at least an hour prior to departure. Depending on where you stay, the drive to/from the port can take up to an hour. IMO, anything less than 3 nights is too little time.

Umbria, did not care for Spoleto. As mentioned above, loved our two weeks in Spello. Love Bologna!

Which just goes to show that choices are personal and subjective.

And perhaps that there is no "wrong" choice.

We kind of stumbled on Lake Garda coming down from St. Moritz on our way to Milan and were completely blown away. Kept asking the hotel to extend our stay.. great food, near the water, relaxing, bikes provided by the resort, it was really great. Just my experience.