I've gotten the "touring" bug behind me and moved to the "get to know one area better" mode.

For example, I did 3 weeks in San Sebastian last year with public transport only. I liked being greeted on returns to bars, being taken as a curiosity at "end of the bus line" villages, and not having to pack up every other morning.

Where are the small to medium size places [anywhere in Europe] that you might like to spend 2-3 weeks using nothing but public transport?

Thanks.

Umbria, Italy- Perugia is very central and convenient for day trips using public transportation. Spoleto in Umbria is also an option.

Provence- Aix in Provence or Avignon.

What time of year will you be traveling?

Locarno/Ascona CH
Samedan/Sils/Pontresina CH
Sintra P
Perugia I
Ghent/Gand B
Montpellier F
Crozon Morgat (Bretagne) F
Port Arthur QLD AU
Bath UK
Windemere/Kewick (Lake District) UK
Framlingham (Suffolk) UK

I have 3 suggestions:
Siena
Lisbon
Salzburg

Dalai - assume you mean Port Douglas QLD (Port Arthur is in TAS).

I didn't realise I was living in Europe [Sydney, where I live, being about midway between Port Douglas and Port Arthur]! ;-)

I second Perugia for Italy, perhaps Chur for Switzerland. I'm not sure about the English Lakes for so long unless you want to do long walks in the hills and probably in the rain [although it is lovely scenery].

If I were staying a few weeks I would want to have at least some of the local language. Is taht an issue for you?

I spent a week in Padua Italy last summer doing day trips by public transportation. I could easily have spent two or three times as long. Padua itself is large enough that it's not boring and great access by train (and bus) to lots of other towns.

Same for Lisbon.

Copenhagen

Farrermog is perceptive and caught me out, I was typing Port Arthur (where I'll be visiting two months from now, hence it's been on my mind) while thinking Port Douglas. Would not promote P.A. as a three-week stay, although some poor souls stayed there for a hell of a lot longer in them thar days...

Perugia would be a good car-less choice...also, we're high on Stockholm and Lisbon.

stu t.

Upper Franconia--I'd make Bamberg my base of operations for lots of beer and sausage tastings.

Sarlat.

London, Paris, Dublin, Edinburgh, would be my choices. All cities have wonderful bus and train connections to go out and about and back, plus they lend themselves to public transport within their city.

Parma

were I making this decision - the time of year and weather would have a major bearing.

When are you traveling?

Dalai - and not only that, unfortunately - Port Arthur is the site of Australia's worst mass murder (in modern times at least) - in 1996 a lone gunman killed 35 people. But don't let that put you off - Port Arthur is well worth a visit for the natural beauty of the area and its convict and colonial history.

Many thanks to all for good suggestions. As to what time of year I will be going, I'm happy to say that I am of an that the destination will dictate when I go. I tend to like shoulder seasons when crowds are down and weather still not too bad. Parma, Perugia, Padua, Sarlot, and Sintra sound like what I am looking for.

Bamburg and Salzburg are also good suggestions and I have used them in the past as they both have good transport.

The point about language is a good one in rural areas. I get by in Spanish and Germany and Austria seem to have plenty of English speakers in the 45 and under group. No question that language triples the enjoyment from the trip.

Many thanks to all!