Final details of Italy Itinerary Advice needed
 

I have most of our itinerary done but we have a few last details to work out and would like some advice on a couple of things. Here's what we have so far:

Fri May 29, Depart California LAX 8:45am
Sat May 30, Arrive Milan MXP 8:30am, train to Venice
Sun May 31, Venice
Mon June 1, Venice
Tue June 2, Venice
Wed June 3, Depart Venice, Drive to Montalcino
Thu June 4, Tuscany
Fri June 5, Tuscany
Sat June 6, Tuscany
Sun June 7, Tuscany
Mon June 9, Depart Montalcino, drive to Orvieto, train to Rome for one evening
Tue June 9, Depart Rome FCO at 10:0am

My first question is regarding which route to take from Venice to Montalcino. Should we drive along the coast through Ravenna and then go inland to Montalcino? Our hesitation to this route is that we already live on the coast in California, although we realize every coast is different and uniquely beautiful. Personally I love the Mediterranean! Or should we stop in Parma (or somewhere similar) even though the route is a little less direct because we really like good food, and cheese especially :) We just want to be sure if we go to Parma that we will really have the opportunity to see and try lots of cheeses and that a quick stop is feasable. We're not too concerned about the time either location takes since we have all day to get to Montalcino as we want to enjoy this day just driving south enjoying the views with a short stop or two. Neither one of us is really into spending much time in museums and such, nor do we like to have things too scheduled. We are more the kind who just enjoy being there eating, drinking, absorbing, relaxing.

My next question has to do with our one evening in Rome. I have been before and have seen all the major sites, however my friend has not. She knows she won't see much in this one evening but we do plan to have a walk around town to see the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon, as well as have a nice dinner. I have narrowed our hotel stay down to two locations. One is right near the Spanish Steps, the other is closer to the Trevi Fountain. Does anyone have any feelings about which area is a better for one night? Or are they so similar that I should just choose based on hotel preference?

I would rather be near the Trevi although both areas can be quite crowded and noisy.

Crowded and noisy to one person is festive to another :)

The Adriatic coast is not scenic, but Ravenna is one of the most astonishing sights in all of Europe, and it is very easy to see in a short visit. If you go, don't bother with a coastal route. Go the fastest roads on the map.

I'm a huge fan of all things Parma, including above its artistic heritage, but you will get your fill of great cheeses and foods in Tuscany.

Given the way you describe your interests, I'm wondering if perhaps you might prefer to stop off for lunch someplace in the Chianti region?

http://www.italianstay.com/italyinfo...ianti/home.htm

Have you driven in Italy before? Even with a GPS, you will probably want to be sure of arriving in Montalcino before dark. Days are long that time of year, but you'd still be well advised to get and early start, and use mappy or via michelin to look at drive times when considering where to go.

I would pick Ravenna, but art is usually my priority -- in fact, the main reason I ever wanted to go Italy was a picture I saw of the mosaics in Ravenna. And I wasn't disappointed when I saw them. Be sure to see the tomb of Galla Placidia if you go and if you are near the church of San Francesco, stop in and look under the altar.

Final thought: If while in Venezia the mosaics of San Marco and Torcello don't interest you, then skip Ravenna. Likewise, if the weather is just plain lousy, no point in heading out for a scenic lunch in Chianti.

I have driven all over both France and Italy before and I am very good with a map, but we do want to get to Montalcino before dark. I spent time in Chianti about 8 years ago so I really wanted to try something different this time. I was hoping for some cute little town where we can just walk the streets, have lunch, and maybe shop for some snacks to take with us to the farmhouse. Any other suggestions? I look at my map and its...well...just a map :/

Ferrara? It's on your way.

Your description of the kind of town you want to see describes 90 percent of Italy, as you probably already know.

You might consider Modena, which is just a few inches less out of your way than Parma. Likewise Reggio.

Or you can do what I do: Buy the Michelin red Guide, head out in the car, half hour before lunch time, look up the best restaurant in the area, and just go. I've ended up in some incredible towns that way, eating great food. And you can't believe people aren't stampeding to these places with their castles, and duomos and frescoes and 19th century liberty style cafes filled with marble.

have fun!