First timers in Italy. Planning to spend 7-10 days in Rome, Florence and Venice in Oct/Nov. Would like to add up to a week in a small town to soak up the flavor of Italy. Any suggestions? Thanks.

Spello (Umbria) or
Montalcino (Tuscany).

Hi A,

Venice, Florence and Rome will easily keep you occupied for 2 weeks soaking up the flavor of Italy.

Staying in a small town will usually necessitate more than a smattering of Italian and a car.

Wow - there are literally hundreds of small towns that would meet your needs. I would guess somewhere in Tuscany or Umbria? Where to begin -
a few I've stayed or visited and really liked - Montepulciano, Panzano, Pienza, Orvieto, Cortona, Todi, Assisi and dozens of others I can't remember.
As others have said, you really need a car to do this, but it may be the highlight of your trip.

You could stay in Lucca, which is accessible by train from Florence. Then another train ride can take you to Pisa, if you wish, for a day. But I would limit the small town stay to about 4 days at most and use the other three days on the big three cities.

I would pick a small town based on my own interests, and perhaps weather at that time of year.

But I totally agree that your time in a small town need not extend beyond 3 or 4 nights. There is much too much to see and do in and around Rome, Venice and Florence to give a week to a small town. Even if you want to relax... rushing through the big 3 won't be relaxing, and you may be too relaxed in your small town, especially if the weather isn't great.

You need more than 7 days to see Venice, Florence, and Rome!

If you indeed have 2 weeks in Italy then you should pick a max of 4 destinations. Spending 4 nites in a small town makes good sense---Tuck has 2 very good options.

I agree that you could spend your 7-10 days in Rome, Florence and Venice as well as an additional week. However, it seems you are looking for a quiet week in a small town as well and I think that would be great fun. I put in a second vote for Lucca. This is a beautiful small town with great people. Get a car and you can take day trips to Pisa and other surrounding towns while you are there or you can just sit back a chill and enjoy the town for the entire week if you choose. Have fun and don't forget that trip report as I would like to hear about this quiet week in a small town. J.

Trento or Bassano del Grappa - - two places I have been, and where I could spend 4-6 days.

Any of several candidates (where I haven't really been) in the Asti region (and it's truffles season in October!)

Best wishes,

Rex

If you seriously mean small town, I'd suggest Paciano (so small if you sneeze the neighbors will be talking about it) or Panicale or some lakeside town on Lago Trasimeno.

Bassano del Grappo isn't a bad choice, either. Or Pienza.

YOu could also stop in Orvieto or Assisi on your way to Florence, both are accessible by train if you dont want to get a car.

Anghiari?