We will have 4 days at the beginning of May to go outside of Rome--we'd like some country, good food, culture, and reasonable. We've looked at Spoleto, Cinque Terra or Bologna. Plan is to take train and then rent car if it's Spoleto or Bologna and take day trips. Experiences with making this choice? I lean towards Spoleto but others say Bologna and then Ravenna and other nearby towns.

Bologna is fabulous -- I much preferred it to Spoleto. The food in Bologna is worth the trip alone. As u said, Ravenna is easily accessible from Bologna. The mosaics in Ravenna are spectacular. U can easilly take the train from Bologna to Ravenna.

Another vote for Bologna, bszudy. And if you have time to visit Ravenna assuming you are a lover of mosaics I am sure you will so enjoy Ravenna.

I would choose Bologna over Spoleto too.

To whet your appetite:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...7622914503405/

For the beginning of May I'd much prefer going to Spoleto and even more so an agriturismo right near there and having a car to explore the many marvelous towns rich with castles and magnificent Italian art that are in such easy reach of Spoleto. You can even see many of them without a car (Assisi, Perugia, Orvieto). But I would want a car in May to go up to the Piano Grande, and just in general to get to the smaller historic towns like Montefalco, Bevagna, Spello, etc. and explore without a destination.

Bologna is an interesting city with good food and good train connections to other cities with great art and architecture (Ravenna, Ferrara, Mantova, and many more), But it will already be hot and humid by May and there is no countryside experience for you in Bologna. If you do choose Bologna and want a car, consider staying outside it, in the countryside. But you really don't need one.

Le Cinque Terre is lovely, but don't bring a car. And if you are starting in Rome, it makes more sense to go south for a seaside experience. I don't much care for the Amalfi tourist hot spots, so I'd be more tempted to head to Salerno, rent a car and see Paestum and the Cilento region, and also not miss Pompeii. You can take ferries from Salerno to visit Positano or Capri if you haven't seen them and wanted to.

But I would go to Spoleto.

Weather can be subjective based on what temps one is accustomed to. We were in Bologna in May and it was perfect Spring weather -- 70's and not at all humid. The average in May is the 70's.

May is a beautiful time to experience the countryside. I would choose Spoleto and experience as zeppole has described. Do not miss the Piano Grande and the Norcia area. I have visited Umbria several times in May and cannot wait to return for more.

The Touring Club of Italy Umbria is an excellent guidebook with many driving and in-town itineraries mapped out with highlights. Be sure you also pick up a detailed map.

I would not enjoy the Bologna traffic and driving in and out each day to experience the countryside. Spoleto is easy to drive in/out. You could also consider staying at an agriturismo in the Umbria countryside. The food and wine in Umbria are very good. You'll wish you had more than 4 days.

Much as I love Bologna for the food, I think in May I would also go for Spoleto or the area around there, as the country is beautiful in the spring. And the food will still be good.

Thank you all for your input---I appreciate you taking the time to write---it's a hard call, but spoleto may be calling due to the place to stay.