Hi All,

I am planning an affordable (about $150/day for 2) in August in Italy. I don't have exact dates as my boss has told me she will be closing shop sometime in August. With that being said, I understand Italians go on holiday during this month. Are there places I should stay away from as it may be a ghost town? I'm not sure when I will make it back to Italy.

I'm flying from Los Angeles and will have 2 weeks. I would love to have an itinerary revolving around Cinque Terre. I hear for gastronomes Emilia-Romagna is the place to be, pastoral chianti has the best wines, Parma has the Parmigiano and the prosciutto I adore, Venice has the Bridge of Sighs (as seen in "A Little Romance"), Capri is picturesque (has the Blue Grotto), Rome (need I say more) and Pisa (who doesn't want that cheesy picture of you holding up the pisa on your screensaver). I would love to see the ruins and the masterpieces up close but in Madrid my husband couldn't wait to get out of the Prado and hit the tapas (he's a chef). How can I incorporate art, culture, and food into this trip?

I love to walk and would love to experience the train. Any itinerary suggestions would be great.

Thanks in advance

In 2 weeks think 4 destinations and plan geographically. Here is a good start:
BOB the NAVIGATOR’S FAVORITE ITALY ITINERARIES

After 24 trips to southern Europe, I am now older and hopefully wiser. Here is an updated version of my favorite itineraries & my “Bella Italia” photo gallery. I hope you enjoy.
http://www.slowphotos.com/photo/show...y.php?cat=3827

1. BELLA ITALIA: Five destinations in 15 days—car & train travel
* Arrive in Milan[MXP] & depart from Venice[VCE]or vice versa.
* Itinerary to include the Italian Lakes, Ligurian coast, rural
Tuscany, Florence, & Venice. Suggested timing is 3-2-4-2-4.
* Option: Drop the coast & rent a villa in Tuscany[ 3-7-2-3].
* Best time to go: May & June or Sept. & Oct.

2. LA DOLCE VITA: Three destinations in 12 to 14 days-car & train
* Arrival & departure from Rome[ FCO] or arrival in Naples
* Itinerary to include Rome, the Amalfi coast, and Tuscany
* Best time to go: Easter to end of October
* Option: Fly into Naples & stay at 2 locations on the coast

3. CLASSIC ITALIA: Three destinations in 12 to 14 days-car & train
* Arrival & departure from Rome—may start trip in Florence
* Destinations to include Florence, Rome & Tuscany/Umbria
* Best time to go: Anytime, but May & Oct. are my favorites
* Option: Consider a weekly rental in Tuscany/Umbria

4. SICILIAN CHARMS: Five destinations in 15 days—car travel
* Connections to Catania & Palermo via Rome or gateway city.
* Itinerary to include Taormina, Siracusa, Palermo & more.
* Best time to go: March to November—May is best for flowers
* See: http://www.slowtrav.com/tr/tripreport.asp?tripid=634

5. THE VILLAGE SAMPLER: My favorite venues for those who enjoy natural beauty and quaint, small villages. Arranged north to south.
* Arrive Milan & depart Rome—car travel-- 3 nites per location
* Itinerary to include Lago Orta, Castelrotto/ Ortisei[Dolomites],
Portovenere[Liguria], Montalcino[Tuscany], & Spello[Umbria].
* Best time to go: May to October for the lakes and Dolomites
* Option: Pick 3 out of 5 and stay longer in Tuscany/Umbria.

The coast and mountain areas will be "high season" in August as the rest of Europe is on vacation also. If you want to stay in those areas, you might be a bit late with your planning. The major cities will have some discounts because everyone is trying to escape the city heat.

$150.00 a day for 2 will not be easy, or much fun. It seems you like good food and the dining experience. That can get really expensive. Also there is the transportation for day trips. That can add up. You certainly can save money renting an apartment instead of hotel rooms, but with an apartment your destinations are limited. To do what you appear to want to do, I think you will have to increase your budget, or cut back on things to do, or the duration of your trip. Rethink the $150. a day for 2.

Agreed: If that budget includes all expenses, you really have only 2 options: 1. B&Bs or 2.renting an apartment/ small house in a place that does not require a car.
Large cities such as Rome would likely be prohibitively expensive, though it CAN be done, I'm sure.