My husband and I will be in Florence for the fall. We have one week at the end of August before we have to be there to begin our studies. We'd like to go somewhere really relaxing, with beautiful scenery, preferably some great hikes. We don't want to spend too much on hotels. Italy seems like the best idea since we have to get there anyway (we're flying in from NYC) but we can really go anywhere in Europe and take a cheap airline over to Florence (Pisa). Any ideas?

Go to Piemonte. The weather will be very favorable (not too hot), and you'll have great hiking. There are a few posters on this board who live in Piemonte who can steer you to the right location for a week. Obviously you can do more if you rent a car, and you should consider renting an apartment to cut down on costs.

Consider flying into Torino or Milano to get to Piemonte.

Better book soon! I have been searching for a couple weeks now for a nice relaxing place for my husband and I to go to in August for a week or so. The coasts in Italy and France are either completely booked or way out of our price range. We are now leaning towards an agriturismo in either umbria or southern tuscany. Those are booking up also though.

Having said that, you will have better luck for the last week in August...5-19 August are really booked up!

Next year, my husband will take his holiday in July rather than August!

Try an agriturismo in the hills with a nice pool...that would be relaxing. There's some nice ones on the following website.

www.agriturismo.com

Good Luck!
Amy

How wonderful!

My husband and I went on a unscheduled last minute Italy trip last August.

We spent a few days in the Dolomites, specifically Castelrotto / Kastelruth. We loved it - lots of hiking, great scenery, and it couldn't have been more relaxing. The weather was just right!

I think a week there would be perfect. We booked our hotel literally a couple of days before we got on the plane and we found a place easily (granted the first place we called was booked, but what can you expect). It also ended up being one of the less expensive places we've stayed in Italy (and it was really lovely). Tripadvisor lists lots of options and Rick Steves Italy book has a pretty good section on this.

Whatever you do, have a great trip - enjoy your studies!!

Sally

Hi cindia, will you have a car for your week in Italy?

I'm not sure - I was thinking of renting a car. We actually just bought our tickets and we'll be landing in Munich. At which point I guess we'll take the train to italy.

Thank you everyone for the great ideas!