Very soon, we (my husband & I) are going to Italy. I’m hoping to get feedback on our itinerary in general. Also, I would love recommendations for where we should stay for our time in the Riviera. We will be spending 4 nights out of our 13 night trip in the Riviera. They are Monday-Thursday, if that impacts anything.

We are in our 30s and enjoy historic sites, architecture, scenic views, beaches, hiking, wildlife, food, wine, and nightlife. We are active when we travel (not lounge by a resort pool all day) type of people. We love to walk cities/towns and explore both like a tourist and a local, per se.


2 nights Milan (Th 8/1 & F 8/2)

Pick up rental car & drive Milan > Mondovi 2.5 hrs + stop at Certosa Pavia

2 nights Mondovi or nearby (Sat 8/3 & Sun 8/4) *for a visit with family

Drive Mondovi > Sestri Levante 2 hrs + stops

4 nights in Riviera di Levante (1st choice Sestri Levante, 2nd choice Santa Margherita Ligure, 3rd choice Rapallo) (Mon 8/5, Tues 8/6, Wed 8/7, Thurs 8/8)

Drive Sestri Levante > San Gimignano 2.3 hrs + stops in Lucca, Pisa, and Volterra

1 night in San Gimignano (Fri 8/9)

Drive San Gimignano > Florence 1 hr & return rental car

4 nights in Florence (Sat 8/10, Sun 8/11, Mon 8/12, Tues 8/13)