We are thinking of spending 4-5 days in Italy- We'll be flying via Ryan Air (the cheap seats) and would like a recommendation from Fodor's readers. We like small towns, outdoors, good food and meeting the locals.

What time of year? Do you prefer staying to the usual touristed areas or are you adventurous? Where would you be flying in to, or what are your options?

Have you ever been to Italy before? In the interest of economizing, does it mean that you are going to forego moving around?

Bergamo ("Milan&quot and Brescia ("Verona&quot are both on sale for 1.29 GBP; I am sure I could spend a week without ever leaving a 25 mile radius around either one of those.

Best wishes,

Rex

San Gimignano in Tuscany is a wonderful little town. Not a whole lot to do, but it's beautiful, as is the area around it. Cute town square, stay at Hotel Leon Bianco.

Thanks for all of your replies. In answer to AP, we will be going in May.
Our options include any airport Ryan flies into, but kind of favoring Pisa.
Ryan also flies to Sardinia, and other small airports around Venice, Milan,
and Rome. We are very adventurous and like getting off the beaten track.

If you like cities, Palermo is amazing. There is so much to see & do, and the food was fantastic. You could take a day trip to Monreale, go to the Capuchin crypts, go to the Vucciria market... click on my screen name and there will be many posts about Sicily.