GirlScoutMom: About travel agents. They will send you to hotels where they get a commission unless you are paying them extra for their service. Those hotels are not always the smartest pick. You will do much better planning on your own and you will have more understanding of your trip.

You guys are the best! I'm printing this all off and will research all the "little" towns to show my mom.

Also thanks to the person who reminded me of the steps in Venice. I need to tell my mom as she does not do steps very well. She can climb them, just takes her longer.

OK, I'm going to forgo on the travel agent. I was leaning that way anyhow. But now that I have some encouragement behind me from you all... that's the way I'll proceed.

Thanks again for all the help.

I've been to Anguillara on Bracciano, and it's lovely. It's very popular with Romans for holidays and weekend getaways. In October it should be fairly quiet.

The problem with Anguillara as a stop for the OP is that the fastest journey to or from Venice would require connecting in Rome. The trains to/from Anguillara leave from Ostiense or Trastevere, not Termini. On a short trip such as the OP's, this seems like a time-eater. OTOH, it would make a nice day trip from Rome if the weather's nice and the OP and her mother don't otherwise make a countryside stop.

Girl Scout Mom - keep in mind that there now is a non-stop flight from LAX to Rome. It is a long flight but it is great for scheduling and maximizing time in Italy (as opposed to airports). And don't underestimate the stairs in Venice - there are lots!

Someone mentioned Paciano. I spent 6 weeks there in 2006. There are many lovely small towns in that area, and even more lovely ones in the somewhat mountainous area of Tuscany not far away - including spa towns. Panicale might be a good small town for you, too. With a car you can easily visit Assisi, Chiusi, Perugia, Lago Trasimeno (which also has some lovely small towns scattered around it), and other Umbrian towns.

I agree that 90 percent of tourists to Assisi never leave the lower town. The upper town is pretty delightful even in high season.

For a small town with easy access via train, how about Spoleto, Orvieto or my #1 choice- Citta della Pieve. I think Citta della Pieve would be perfect- few if any tourists, great views, lots of unique character, good places to eat, and if you are there on a Saturday morning, a wonderful open air market.

You would need to take the train from Venice to Chiusi and then a short bus or taxi ride to Citta della Pieve. Here is a link with info on the town and bus schedule-

http://www.bellaumbria.net/Citta'_de...ad-map_eng.htm

Orvieto or Spoleto would also be nice- they do have more tourists though. Especially Orvieto.

1 assisi & 2 spoleto!

I also like the idea of Spoleto but keep in mind that these hill towns (with a few exceptions) will make the bridges in Venice feel like mere bumps in the road. Can your mother manage?