sandi_travelnut

For a specific city it would have to be Rome. We've been 3 times and we can't get enough. There's so much history and things to see that we rarely repeat where we go. The last time we went (Jan '08) we planned out a series of walks to the high points around the city. Went to churches, piazzas and parks that we've never seen before. It was incredible.

As far as a region I would have to say Tuscany and Umbria. So many beautiful hilltop towns to visit that you need multiple trips to see them all.

mnapoli

One of our favorite towns is Verona. We noticed that there were not a lot of Americans visiting there, but there were a lot of Brits and Germans. The town is lovely and the wineries in the surrounding towns are great to visit!

Weadles

I am still trying to find lemons, tomatoes, and olives that taste as good as they do in southern Italy. So for that reason, I would happily go back to Rome and the Amalfi Coast.

GranthamMommy

We're just back from our first trip and I can't wait to go again!

I feel like I hardly scratched the surface in Rome, fell in love with Lake Como and want to unwind in Cinque Terre or somewhere on the Italian Riviera.

But there are so many more places to visit....I guess that's a good problem to have.

charnees

I'm not sure exactly, but I think our trip to Italy next May willbe our 13th or 14th. I have to pay homage to central Florence -- the antiquities & Ottorino restaurant -- for at least a day. Otherwise, Perugia, Lucca, Cinque Terre, Orvieto, Bologna. (As foodies, the last 2 places are musts.) I also had a nice time near Cararra with my daughter and her family -- drive up and see the marble quarries up close - Wow!

Charnee

kfusto

"Going back and showing someone = two great pleasures."

How true! For me, the perfect city is Florence and I will be back for the 12th time in 8 weeks, this time bringing along friends and family who have never been to Italy.

We are doing the big 3 but spending a week in Florence (there are some benefits to being the planner, after all) is the highlight.

Of course, I will visit my favorite restaurants. Why not go back to places that always are a wonderful experience? I was there with my mom 2 summers ago and we had dinner in the same restaurant every night we were in Florence. The owners have become friends over the past 10 years and I don't recall ever seeing a menu. Rather, a trip to the kitchen with papa and then the food begins to be served. Who needs more?

uktravelover

We have been going to Castiglione del Lago on Lake Trasimeno in Umbria for 14 years. Why? Apart from becoming very good friends with Ivanella who runs the apartment hotel, there is such a lot to see and visit. So whilst we do relax around the pool, we have made day or half day trips to Assissi, Chuisi, Citta del Pieve, Cortona, Gubbio, Montelcino, Montelpulciano, Orvieto, Perugia, Siena, Todi to name just a few.

enroute

"Going back and showing someone = two great pleasures."

Indeed. We just did this with our very dear friends and no doubt it's double the pleasure.

Keep going back to Lake Como, usually combined with Lugano, also Verona, Positano/Ravello, Milan for La Scala and easy access.

Generally, I have to agree with Jean, I don't think I have been to an area in Italy I didn't like, except ceratin areas around Naples that for some reason I found depressing for what seemed like a general economic decay (just my subjective impression).

Certainly, there are plenty of friends and associates bewildered by my persistent travel preferences, so take heart, you are not alone, especially on this fabulous forum . FWIW, lately I have noted that some of the previously bewildered are now converts..



-e

Vttraveler

Rome and Florence are on the top of my list to visit as often as possible.
A few places I've been to only once and would really like to visit again: Padova, Ravenna, Bologna.

StCirq

The places I've returned to in Italy are Rome, Venice, Tuscany, Umbria, and the lakes.

I only returned to Rome many times because the best airfares for me were into and out of it. I hated it the first couple of times I was there. I'm now a total Rome convert.

I think Umbria has become my favorite area, though that lake scenery is just awesome!

tdyls

Without a doubt -- Rome and Perugia.

But Jean's definition® is more than sufficient!

BarbB57

While we thoroughly enjoyed Rome, Florence and much of Tuscany, we fell in love with Venice. Now, three years later we are returning for the 6th time, and have another month-long visit planned for the spring of 2008. As much as we would like to venture to other new areas of Italy, Venice keeps calling us back and we willingly surrender to her siren song. We absolutely love being in a place where we do not have to contend with cars and/or traffic. It is the perfect place to just wander and perhaps get lost, all the while knowing that no matter where we end up, it will be just the place where we want to be! We have favorite restaurants with wonderful food, churches that soothe and inspire us, shops with merchandise that delights the eye, and cafes where we can sit and watch the world go by. I am sure there are other places that we would probably enjoy, but it is hard to give up Venice to find out!

pawsha

Oh Dina4, I could have written your question. We are planning our 5th trip to Italy and taking the 2nd of our 4 grandchildren with us. I adore Rome (or anything Italian)and couldnt bear to have one of my grandchildren think of it as a "dirty,old city" which I have heard from some. We have a personal guide take them thru Rome(The Forum in particular) and then up to Florence and Venice. We intend doing something a little different with each child. Last time it was Pompeii and the Amalfi. This time the Cinque Terre. We have two more to go. We have been to Paris Switzerland and Austria but - Bella Italia.

tomassocroccante

<<we fell in love with Venice. Now, three years later we are returning for the 6th time, and have another month-long visit planned for the spring of 2008.>>

Take that, you people who offer itinerary advice such as, "Three days in Venice is too much!" You tell'em Barb. (I trust those are the classic "must see listers."

uktravel, I think I might have to try that Lago di Trasimeno plan ... I often see interesting properties/hotels for the area, too. What's the name of your place in Castiglione d L, if you don't mind sharing?

Aduchamp1

We thoroughly enjoyed Sicily. Between the natural beauty, the antiquities, the food, and the people, it has become one of our favorite spots in any country.

Lexma90

We keep returning to Italy (and France; we trade off between them, more or less) too.

Each time, however, we generally spend some time with favorite places we've been before AND some new areas.

Places we've been and return: Rome (I love it more each time, and there's so much to see); Venice (just stay away from those busy streets right near San marco); Tuscany, especially Siena and San Gimignano; Bologna; Umbria. What I love the most about each place is those little out-of-the-way beauties that just barely make the guidebooks.

On our upcoming trip, we're "checking out" the Piemonte, Milan, one day in Bergamo. Probably our next trip to Italy after that, whenever it occurs, will be Sicily and Rome (again).

DH is more likely to want to return to favorite restaurants - I always have a way-too-long list of places to try (except for gelaterie - I go back to our favorites again and again). The famous sites (i.e. Vatican, Borghese), we return to some, but not all, each time.

Our trips to France and within the U.S. seem to follow the same pattern - visit some old, some new each time.

TRSW

There is just a certain something about Firenze that I just can't put into words. I have been twice since 2005 and both times were just great. The food, the people and Il Doumo

And I too agree with BarbB57 about Venice, there is something about getting 'lost'. How I envy you to be able to spend a whole month, living like a local!! And Venice at night after all the daytrippers have left is so magical, especially St Marks Square.

My first two trips were very fast paced and packed with allot to see. But come this October, I will visit Roma for a second time, but at a more relaxed pace for 8 nights. I have rented an apartment and plan to just live like a local.

I will follow up Roma with 7 nights in Paris, which I fell in love with last October, but that is a whole different thread.

Tom

hlocke1

Hi Dina --

Venice, Venice, Venice! I can't imagine a trip to Italy without going there (even if it's out of the way). The ambience at night, the food, the look of it. It's surreal, beautiful, and unlike anything I've ever seen. Each time we go back, we see parts that we didn't see the time before.

That being said, we mix it up each time we go, too. We may visit Venice for a handful of days, but then we'll visit another part of the country that we haven't seen before.

Have a great trip!
h.

dina4

Thanks so much for all the replies!

My list for new places is getting longer...

and it's so fun to see that others feel the same away about Florence and Rome.
....and also Venice. .....and Tuscany. .....and Umbria. and... and... and...

I think the Amalfi Coast and Umbria are going to make it into our new places next summer. Also want to add Bologna, and maybe Ravenna and Parma.

no one, interestingly, has mentioned Sardinia, which is very close to the top of my new places to see list. And no one has mentioned the Cinque Terre, another place we haven't been but seems to be so popular!

and we still haven't been to Lake Como!!

wish i could go for 3 months instead of 3 weeks!!!

dina

auldyins

Next month we will be visiting Italy for the 20th time. We return to Sorrento every year as we fell in love with it on our first visit many moons ago. Florence, Rome, Verona we also enjoyed.

The food is fantastic and the scenery breathtaking.