ChrisStein78727

Message: My wife and I are planning on going back to Italy for our second anniversary. We went there on our honeymoon and loved it. My wife spent 3 years in Italy during her childhood and speaks fluent Italian. Last time we were there we flew into Rome, spent 4 days there, then 3 days in Florence, and 2 days in bologna, before heading up to Lugano and points north.

We will be traveling in late October, so weather might be an issue. Also, the duration would be about 8 days.

I am trying to think of alternative places to go for this visit that would contrast with the "City" tour we did last time. So far, we are looking at the Amalfi Coast and the Cinque Terre. So far, for Amalfi: Positano looks like the favorite amongst Fodor's posters and for Cinque Terre it looks like Monterossa.

I would love to hear ideas for these regions also for others. Some things about us to help you guide us in the right place: in our thirties, speak italian, I love to walk but wife isn't as a big a fan of long walks, I like cities and more urban situations, neither one of us like sunbathing or beach activities, we love to eat, we like to drink (in moderation, of course, wink). So, any thoughts or ideas? Thanx!

ira

Hi Chris,

For 8 days I would do 3-4 days in Venice and a motor tour through the Veneto.

artlover

I agree with Ira. Venice is magical.

Grinisa

Either the Amalfi Coast or Cinque Terre would be nice in October, although with the Amalfi Coast, things will be winding down for the season. Still, you could visit Naples, Capri, Pompeii, Herculaneum, Paestum, and also the lovely hilltowns like Rivello and Maratea by the Gulf of Policastro. The Cinque Terre, while lovely in October, isn't enough for an eight day trip. Have you been to Umbria? It is a perfect destination in October. Lots of hilltowns to explore (walking, but many places to take a break), eating (be sure to see the town of Norcia and sample the wonderful meats and black truffles) and drinking (Montefalco is the home of Sagrantino).

FranandJim

Hi Chris. You might enjoy spending a few days around Camogli, a great seaside village just south of Genoa. It's a quick trip by train to Genoa for a day in the city. We were there in early November and had wonderful weather. Great fish and good local wine. This area is just north of Cinque Terra so it would be easy to connect a visit to the two.

We are also very fond of the Piedmont region of Italy. Asti and Alba especially. In October the grape harvest is over but truffle season is in full swing. There are always festivals going on. Wonderful food and incredible wine. We have been there in mid September and had lovely weather.

Enjoy!

bobthenavigator

Chris, Why 2 posts on same topic?

ChrisStein78727

I like the ideas so far, can you tell me more about Genoa and also more about the Piedmont region?
Thanx, Chirs

ira

Have you looked at the guide to Italy on www.fodors.com?

ChrisStein78727

Ira, I will look at all the guides I can find, but I am also very interested in hearing about real people's real experiences. But thank you for the link!

LCW17

Chris I am taking my mom along the same time. I have been she has not. We plan to go to the coast, so if you find anything interesting pls pass along.

I would 100% recc venice. its an amazing city - I have been in oct and it is nice and not too crowded

strass

Cinque Terre is beautiful, but one of its allures is hiking/walking between the villages and laying on the beach... so...

I think Vernazza is the prettiest village of the five. Monterosso is the biggest. I didn't go there, so I can't comment on it, though--I stayed in Vernazza and hiked to Corniglia and Riomaggiore. It's a gorgeous, slow, sleepy little section of Italy.

Barolo

We had two weeks this May in Italy and fell in love with Piedmont. Way off the tourist track and we thought as pretty as Tuscany... Did the Cinque Terre thing first - but moved on inland to the Piedmont wine country. If you are looking for an off the track city Turin is amazing. Covered walkways, palaces, etc. everything is being spiffed up for the Olympics in 2006. Incredible food and wine in this whole region. In fact Bra is where the slow food movement started and every place we ate in the area is out of the ordinary. Barolo is the King of Italian reds and after you try it you?ll see why. I?ve heard it is more busy in the fall during truffle season ? but in May we were the only Americans in most places we visited. Lot?s of wineries and wonderful undiscovered small towns.


We stayed in a great B&B and vineyard just out of the little town of Nizza Monferrato. Our first day there they had the town festival. Barrel rolling? Yes ? barrel rolling down the cobblestone streets. Each winery in competition with the others. Complete with a police escort and ambulance on standby. Amazing gelato, balloons, flag throwing and a mini carnival. The B&B Cascina Christiana was great. www.cascinachristiana.com
They have self catering apartments or just regular rooms. We liked it so much we stayed an extra two days. They have a great pool with a view of the vineyard and on a clear day you can see the mountains. Easy driving to Barolo, Asti, Alba and Turin. We even went up to the Val d'Aosta and Mont Blanc on a day trip from here.

I'm not sure why more people don't go to Piedmont - we loved it. It was our fifth trip to Italy and our favorite so far! Go now before everyone discovers it during the 2006 Winter Olympics?