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6 weeks in Italy... where to go?

I am in the initial stages of planning a 6 week trip to Italy for my wife and me and, likely, another couple. Parameters are as follows:

1) Was thinking along the lines of 2 weeks each in northern, central, and southern Italy, but this isn't set in stone;
2) Have been to the "Big 3" + Milan and do not want to include these on this trip;
3) Have also been to the Veneto, Umbria, Piemonte, and Lombardia. Would prefer different regions but wouldn't rule out a return to Piemonte and/or Umbria;
4) Willing to go at any time of year but prefer spring or fall;
5) Anticipate 4-10 nights in each locale but wouldn't want more than 6 total bases;
6) Willing to train and/or drive. I realize driving will be essential in some of the less populated areas, and it may work best to have a car for the entire time;
7) Prefer to stay in small (not tiny) or medium-sized cities which would be good bases for day trips but convenient for walking to evening meals and not having to drive after drinking wine;
8) Interested in a diversity of geography, culture, food, etc. Would love to be able to attend local festivals. Little or no interest in churches or museums, though a smattering of interesting art/architecture would be OK.

With the above in mind, where would you suggest? Any and all comments are welcomed and appreciated.

Why not spend two of your weeks in Sicily? Certainly meets your desires.

Agree with Sicily. Also recommend Puglia and Basilicata. I was just there and loved it (just started my trip report for there).
Have your friends also been all the places you've been? If not, why not a re-visit to a few? there's no shortage of things to see and do in Rome for example.

Though all in the south, why not?
Sicily-Campania-Puglia/Basilicata
Or, just pick the regions you've missed before.

Interesting exercise!

I would go in May and June and include---south to North:

Sicily[ 10 days]
Puglia[ Lecce]
Val d'Orcia[ Tuscany]
Liguria[ Camogli]
Piemonte[ Alba]
Lago Orta
Fly home from Milano

Sounds like fun to me !

Have you been to the dolomites and lakes region (not just Milan?). You can start in Venice and drive up thru padua to cortina with breathtaking scenary. then continue on the Great Dolomite Road to Bolzano, see Frozen Fritz (aka Ortzi), take a day in Merano and then hang around Lake Garda (see Isera and the waterfalls/lakes) and on down to Como/Bellagio.

Have you been to Porto Venere?
https://www.google.ca/#q=portovenere

How about Lecce?
https://www.google.ca/#q=lecce+italy

Cmeyer54's suggestion of Lake Garda brings another to mind.

Riva del Garda is my favourite spot there.
https://www.google.ca/#q=Riva+del+garda

We spent two weeks just in a loop from venice to cortina to bolzano to riva to bellagio to verona and back to venice. you could also start in florence or rome and spend two weeks wandering southern tuscany...siena, montalcino, san antimo, etc.

Sicily does sound like it fills the bill...Syracusa would be a great home base...or Taoromina. If I were going to a small/mid size town, I'd pick Lucca. We just spent three weeks in Rome and tho we'd been there before, found lots and lots to do and every day was a delight. Stayed in an apartment with a small kitchen where we shopped at the markets, went to the butcher and cooked "at home" a few times a week...saved money and added dimension to our Rome experience.

Thanks to all for your replies. There are some real possibilities here.

I should have mentioned that I have also been to the Lake Como area for a week, and to Bolzano and the Dolomites for day trips (stayed in Castelrotto 1 night). I would certainly not be opposed to more time in the Dolomites. I have also stayed for 3 nights in Orvieto and for 6 nights just outside Assisi.

Any thoughts re: Friuli-Venezia Giulia?

You should consider Bologna. Great mid-size city. Good location for daytrips in the region (Parma, Ferrara, Ravenna, Modena, even Rimini for something coastal).

We stayed at the Hotel Metropolitan which was very well located for walking around the city and walking to meals. There was a parking garage less than 5 minutes walk away that we parked our car in.

Here is a link to my trip report and pictures: http://www.fromhometoroam.com/2012/08/bologna-2010/

We spent 3 days in Asolo and 3 days in Cormons and really can't recommend FVG highly enough. We easily could have spent a week in Cormons, with day trips in the area and into Slovenia. Gorgeous scenery, well-mapped walking/biking paths everywhere, great food, super friendly people (even by Italian standards).

Cannobio lake Maggiore. Far exceeded our expectations.