I've always wanted to see the castles in the Loire Valley--however, I'm not going to France! I will be in Venice, Rome, Florence, Lake Como, Siena, Perugia, and possibly Cinque Terre. Any castles in those areas that you would recommend? Thanks.

Verona. That's the castle to see if you can -- just as you probably have always imagined a castle would be like -- and it is also a beautiful art museum. Perhaps you can find time for a stop on your way to Lago di Como.

You will surely see the castle in Siena. And there is a castle in Rome as well, near the Vatican.

How nice you are going to Perugia!

Maire,

You can climb to the Scaligero Castle, also called the Castello di Soave not far from Verona and near to Vicenza. The interior was closed the only time we were there, but the climb and the view were great...

Thank you, nessundorma! I will research all of those. I believe Verona might be on our route from Venice to Lake Como--I'll check it out.

Thank you, Traviata. I wonder if that's the same castle nessundorma was referring to? Anyway, I'll check it out. I wanted to go to Vicenza anyway--this gives me another good reason.

Maire,

I don't know if it is the same, but if you will be near Vicenza, also look into visiting the little town of Marostica..still has some castle walls, and famous for being the town where they hold the "human chess game"..the town is small and charming..

The castle I am referring to is right in Verona on the River Adige (and has beautiful bridge across the river). It is now a beautiful and unique art museum, and it is often called Castelvecchio, but it is formally called Castello Scaligero.

The Scaligero family did a lot of building in Lombardia, however, so there may be more than one castello bearing their name.

nessun,

I think you are right!! Now that I think of it, we visited the one in Sirmione by that same name....

Thank you both!

Here's a link to castles in Tuscany.
http://www.castellitoscani.com/
There are so many castles in Tuscany, this should help.

In Rome, Castello San Angelo, the large round castle next to the Vatican, built for Hadrians tomb then used as a fortress to protect the popes. Great views of Roma from the ramparts.

At Varenna on Lake Como, the castle Vezio, above Varenna. The absolute smallest castle I have ever seen. However stunning views of Lago Como.

Thank you, Lorenzi. I'll check out that site.