I would like to plan a vacation in Italy (2-3 weeks) and am looking for suggestions on where to go. I have been to Rome, but that is all. My husband and I love coastlines, enjoy Italian wines, like to stay in first class accommodations. We do not want to spend the entire time driving. Would like to see an area that doesn't involve too much time on the highway, but would like to see lots of things. I am hoping you can help me to begin my plans. Thanks.

Well, you sound like you enjoy many of the same things my husband and I do. We are planning our vacation for Italy this year and will be spending a week in a Tuscan villa. We chose the southern part of Tuscany (near Montepulciano) because of the wide variety of sights that are not too far away, and because we love Italian wines too. Maybe combine that with some time in the Cinque Terre and the Italian Riviera to get in the coastline part.

Sounds like you would enjoy the Amalfi Coast. Beautiful coastline and great hotels. Also search this forum for Almalfi Coast, Sorrento, or Positano. <BR> <BR>check out: http://www.starnet.it/positano/ingwel.htm

The Danieli in Venice. <BR>The Danieli in Venice. <BR>Venice. <BR>

Well, if you don't want to drive in Italy, the trains are very efficient and cheap. www.fs-online.com for some ideas. <BR> <BR>Coastlines: besides Wendy's suggestions, you could try the isle of Capri. To get to Capri, you have to take the train to Naples or Sorrento, then take a boat out to the island. Accommodations on the island are plentiful. It's just small, beautiful island you can hike and bus around, plus you can visit the famous Blue Grotto. If I had money to burn, I'd definitely spend a warm night on Capri and enjoy it when the daytrippers are home. The harbor area gets very crowded, but get away from there and its quite peaceful. A lot of Italians build vacation homes on Capri. <BR> From Sorrento, you can also take a quick train trip to either Pompeii or Herculaneum. Both were Roman cities smothered in the same volcanic eruption, well worth your time. <BR> Florence and Venice are great places to stay in a nice hotel and sightsee on foot all day. I think Florence has more to do than Venice myself, but both are great. Rome you already know. Florence, Rome, and Venice are the great park-it-and-tour cities of Italy. You basically take the train there and live the pedestrian life. <BR> An alternative to sea coast is lake coast. From Milan, you can take a half hour train to Lake Como, a lovely lakeside resort. The lake is oh-so-picturesquely stuck between low mountains. From Como, you can take the boat to other villages. I've only been to Como, but there are any number of lakes that would be good. I toyed with visiting Riva di Guarda but settled on Como (you can swim in Riva but not Como). Just a thought.

Geez, Sometimes I think Tony (aka StellaRossa) sets these things up to display his rapier wit. Try the Adriatic coast, the Gargano, Sicily, the Ticino. Or, hang out on the Amalfi, Cinque Terre and elbow your way with the German tourists.

Enjoy yourselves in Italy. Are you sure that you want the coastline? We have visited the Dolomites and stayed in San Vito. The scenary is superb, tranquil. The people are friendly. Another suggestion is the Trento, Bolzano area. also very nice, Vicennes was a surprising city. Very pleasant. Or, how about Verona? These are places we have been. Been to Venice, seen that, done that. Milano would be the major city in the area. Northern Italy is so different. alan