help round out our 11 day trip in June - this is our 7th trip to Italy - we are flying into Venice , 2 nites there with my sis and bro-in-law who have never been, then up to the lakes for 4 nites in Bellagio ( have always wanted to stay there after a boat ride there in '84 ) then ...should we fly to Amalfi Coast for 3 nites, Sardinia???Sicily ( too far? )

Have been to Amalfi as wel but love it dearly

anything closer that you would have in mind ??

don't want Switzerland or the Italian Riviera

Why do you like those destinations? they all seem to be scenic, waterside locations. There are a zillion nice destinations not too far from your first two places that are away from the ocean or lakes, but don't know what to recommend.

The wine areas of Piemonte---near Asti and Alba.

The Italian Alps. No skiing that time of year, but beautiful.

2 hours on your way up to Bellagio from Venice

www.sirmione.com AWESOME pearl of lake Garda

castle roman villa termes very pretty Hotel Eden my fav there

www.villaserbelloni.com/Bellagio/en Residence D'Ulivo 120 eu

40 miles North of milano is Stresa/Baveno Isola Bella

is great there Grand Hotel Dino my fav there. Then down to

www.metropole.it for Portofino/SML cinqueterre.com

www.torrettas.com Manarola my fave in the CT.

All reacheable by train a couple of hours each leg

piece of cake if extra time pick up www.lucca.info very pretty

sardegna.com Sicilia too far expensive above areas nicer...

Have fun!

you are flying into Venice - where are you flying out of?

if your fellow travellers have not been to venice before, they may feel short-changed by such a short stay there.

also, I am always in favour of variety in trips - it seems to make them longer - so the idea of going up to the dolomites is an excellent one, IMO. you haven't really got time to get to Sardegna or Sicily.

Venice, Val Gardena [Dolomites] and Lake Garda would make a great trip.