I am trying to find information for my summer travels, and am looking for interesting side trips beyond the typical major cities in Italy.

How about some of the small towns in Italy's lake district -- Lake Como, Lake Maggiore, Lake Garda, etc. We went to Bellagio on Lake Como two years ago and loved it (you can see photos at http://www.lunadesigns.com/travels/). Bellagio is a small charming town, but not exactly "off the beaten path" as it is well known and plenty of tourists go there. However, there are hundreds of small towns around these lakes that you can check out. If your library stores back copies of National Geographic's "Traveler" magazine, as mine does, find the May/June 1997 issue. There is a great article on Italy's lake district, and I'm sure it highlights some lesser known villages.

In addition to the Italian Lakes, do a search on this forum for Tuscany. There are loads of enchanting little towns. Some are quite well known, some less so. Our experience was that even San Gimignano, which is very well known, was more relaxed and charming than Florence or Rome.

Hi Della -- <BR> <BR>If you're going to Italy, check out the regions of Savoie and Haute Savoie in France. What with the Mont Blanc Tunnel now closed, towns in the Alps may be less crowded this season . . . <BR> <BR>Have fun! <BR>-- T

<BR> were in Tuscany last spring and spent only one day in cortona and we plan to spend at least 10-14 days there next spring.Anyone know a place in or near, to cortona? we'd appreciate any suggestions

Hi Della - Try Bergamo - the old town is charming and quite interesting. Happy travels!

You should check out San Miniato al Monte (a working monastary)across the river from Florence. It's not really a seperate town, so much as a respite in a busy city. The bonus is a breathtaking view of Florence. Hint: take a picnic lunch

The Cinque Terre...my daughter's favorites from two months of travels. <BR>

Finding a town in Italy off the beaten path can be like pulling teeth from a duck. Bergamo is a fine choice and not yet brought up by most travel writers - thank goodness. Pienza is a lovely little town. Most people who Rambo through Venice miss Burano. Padua is often missed - great Giotto! Judas kissing Christ makes my top ten works of art. Lecce way down south is missed as is most of deep south Italy. good luck folks..Mike from guess where

<BR>Most tourists to Tuscany miss Lucca. They go to Pisa to see the monuments, but that's most of Pisa's appeal. Lucca, on the other hand, has more charm than any other small town in Italy that we have ever visited. There is little or no car traffic in most of the town, beautiful churches, piazzas, parks, the Puccini museum in the home in which he was born, superb restaurants with interesting regional cuisine, the best shopping in Italy on the Via Fillunga, and the main feature -- the rampart walls that ring the town, which have been made into a circular park that you can stroll or tour on rented bicycle. A visual feast.