My husband and I and his sister will be in Italy March of 2017. We hope to go back to some favorite places and explore some new places.

His sister loved Ravello when we were there several years ago. But this time we won't be going that far south.

Is there any place on the coast between Rome and Montepulciano that comes to mind as a good stop for a few nights?

San Quirico d' Orcia

I am not sure the coast is best during March? I haven't been but the iffy weather would stop me from heading to a coastal part of Italy in March.

What about Casperia in Sabina? http://lamiasabina.blogspot.co.uk/20...ndow-onto.html

Agree with Bob...We planted ourselves in San Quirico d' Orcia for a few nights (we stayed at Bob's recommendation of Palazzo del Capitano), and it was the perfect location to visit a number of interesting hill towns. It was more than a decade ago, and I think the hotel has different owners, but if it is still garnering good reviews, you might check in (pun intended) to it.

Check out Chapters Six through Eight for all the places we visited while basing in San Quirico. We actually arrived on the evening highlighted in Chapter Five, but that's the day we put the wrong petrol in the car, so it's still hard for me to look at it , although it does warn you about stupid things people can do while traveling.

http://travelswithmaitaitom.com/italia-2005/

Are you spending time in montepulciano? If so, San Quirico is right down the road. I thought you were asking for somewhere between montepulciano and Rome...

Does it have to be on water?

I'd go to Pitigliano and take some excursions to Sorana, Sovana and Saturnia.

Some photos:

http://www.travelswithtracy.net/piti...-from-tuscany/

Look for ancient Etruscan pathways (Vie Cave):

http://www.wanderingitaly.com/maps/v...itigliano.html

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attracti...o_Tuscany.html

Orbetello would make a good base for a few days. You can explore the coast, nature reserves, lagoons, and also venture inland to the Maremma countryside and villages, including the above mentioned Pitigliano and Sorano.

OK a little more background (sorry should have given it previously)

4 nights in Rome (have been there 4 times, have to go back) booked at Navona Garden Suites, looking forward to going back to Cul de Sac for dinner

**3 nights "unscheduled" ~ this post

2 nights Terre di Nano (for old times sake, eat both nights at La Porta, visit Banfi)

5 nights rental just outside San Gimignano ~ never been there, maybe re-visit Volpaia, Volterra, Chianti, and some yet undiscovered treasures

4 nights rental in Florence (only have had a day trip there)

We have been to Pitigliano and Sovana, totally awesome

maitaitom ~ looked quickly at your blog, will look at more closely tomorrow looked very interesting

So yes, we are looking for someplace coastal between Rome and Montepulciano ~ Ortobello/Argentario maybe a possibility......and I may have plan A and plan B for these days......good weather forecasted 1-2 weeks before, go coastal, not so good go inland?

Bookmarking, Tuscany

You didn't mention Orvieto or anywhere else in Umbria. I think I'd choose that over a stay along the coast in March. I'd be concerned that many restaurants and hotels in the popular coastal towns will be closed.

Oh, SOOooo sorry you can't visit Ravello this time, wrenwood -- its one of the most magical places I have had the great good fortune to visit.

That said, I'm taking notes of the suggestions you are getting -- great info!

We were in Orvieto briefly, going back there wouldn't be at the top of my list

We were in Umbria 2 years ago, stayed at Genius Loci Country Inn, Bevagna, loved it. Explored locally and also a day trip to Castelluccio, another day to Assisi, another day to Gubbio. All were fantastic.

Have considered going back to Assisi. Have not been to Norci, nor across to the east coast of Italy, Ascoli Piceno looks interesting. But won't it be colder in those areas with possibilities of snow crossing the mountains?

Terre di Nano is not booked yet, we could head north east from Rome in that direction, and then to Terre di Nano, San Gimignano.

Norcia has some events in March that you might want to investigate. Food or patron saint. Maybe both, I can't remember.

How about discovering something about Etruscan history - Tarquinia, Tuscania, Viterbo etc?

Viterbo has an interesting papal history too.

We have been to Pitigliano and Sovana and the Etruscan Museum at Chiusi, not against more Etruscan history, but I don't want it as the focus of where we stay.

Still thinking of Assisi, or around Spoleto maybe?

I like Spoleto. We stayed at the Hotel San Luca which has a great location for easy drive in/out.

http://www.hotelsanluca.com/en/

Seconding Spoleto. It has a gorgeous setting with the mountains for a background. The Lippi frescoes in the Duomo are beautiful. It's close to visit Assisi. There are a couple of good restaurants there as well.

Spoleto is in contention, and I'm also looking around Todi. One thing I need is a rental with washer ~ or washer/dryer if I'm extrordinarly lucky.

I've found a nice house in Todi if he accepts the 3 nights in March. Can one drive into parts of Todi? We will have a car.

Also found one between Todi and Spoleto.

Spoleto looks like a larger town, is it?