I went on an extensive coach tour of Italy and we visited/passed through many nice small and large towns, some well off of the beaten track.

Hmmm ! Really tough to rank.
After 13 trips, my top 5 are still:

1. The Lakes-really 3 desinations]
2. Tuscan hill towns
3. The Amalfi coast
4. Venice
5. The Ligurian coast

Perhaps you notice a trend here. I always opt for natural splendor.

Any gelateria.

Hi PurpleNeon, I would imagine some of my friends in Congeliano know your cousin friends! Thanks for the website and may I say their room rates are fantastic!!

I am glad you got to visit the historical section of Congeliano. No doubt you walked on Via Settembre where the piazza and duomo are located. I have friends that live on that ancient street.

I think you are only the second poster that has said they were in Congeliano. I had planned on being there the same time you were but put the trip off until next year for various reason. Hope you will be able to return to the region of Veneto in the future!

Oh dear, this is hard, but after Venice, I'd have to say Siena--I really loved that place. But now that LoveItaly has sung such high praises of Congeliano (and they've been seconded), I know I'm going to have to check that one out someday!

Don't ya hate it when you have just returned from your second trip to Italy and some smarty pants comes up with another gem to discover!! :) Oh well an excuse to return! We have spent a total of five weeks in Italy now and as yet have never been south of Rome !!! Time to emigrate !

The choices are infinite; it's simply the most wonderful country on earth. But I would recommend going to Assisi (and staying there so you can experience at night and during quiet mornings) and hooking up with wonderful Anne Robichaud (lived there for 25 years and a licensed guide) who will show you Italy from the inside. I promise that your time with her will be very, very special b/c it will bring a human dimension along with all the wonders that Italy provides otherwise. Her site is,I think, annesitaly.com.

Wow I can't believe there aren't more Amalfi Coast lovers out there. IT's such a beautiful place!! Positano is gorgeous. I hope you chose here :-)

Can't pick just one, forget it... :-)

Lake Como/Positano/Tuscan hills -- a three-way tie

Venice, Verona, Ligurian Coast/CT, the rest of AC

Haven't been to Sicily or Assisi or Orvieto, I suspect those would be on the list as well......

I loved Bologna. I used to go there often when I studied in Florence. The best food I had in Italy, and the collonated (sp?) streets, the towers, the artwork, and piazzas were all beautiful

Positano and Capri for romance and relaxation.

This is SO fun to read!

It's amazing the passion people have for this country!

We loved the Amalfi Coast. June 2006 we visited, Sorrento, Pompeii, Positano, Capri, Rome, Venice, and Verona. We cannot wait to visit the other places mentioned here. Italy is magical.

The Lake District and Capri. If you put a gun to my head, and made me choose, I'd go with the Lake District.

Buon Viaggio,
BC

What a difficult choice! My husband and I have travelled all over mainland Italy and Sardinia as well - but we always end up back in the Tuscany area - Florence and chianti region - we even got married there 4 years go in Certaldo alto. We are off to Sicily in September and cant wait!

Taormina, for its stunning natural beauty, colorful history and Sicilian cuisine and personality.

Question for PurpleNeon and LoveItaly.
My husband and I have been to Italy several times and are thinking about a possible trip this year. Our thoughts were to spend time in the Veneto region. You both have sparked my interest for the town Conegliano. I am wondering if this would be as good home base to explore the region. The only problem is that we will not drive in Italy so we have to be close to trains and buses. Any advice would be appreciated.

Ciao DA Venezia

www.ivangianni.it

if you need please contact me ..

see you soon

I have only been to Italy once and am planning to visit Milan and the Lakes region in April. I fell in love with the peacefulness and beauty of Ravello on the Amalfi Coast. Italy is an amazing country - the AC and Capri and Sorrento were spectacular. Can't wait to see the north.

Assisi. Especially at night when all the daytrippers have left. Nothing more peaceful than a stroll around Assisi some starry October night...(or off-season month of your choice)

I also love Siena.

I have to declare a tie between Positano (Amalfi Coast) and Bellagio (Lake Como). But that color of the Mediterrean in Positano is forever in my head!