Originally Posted by indyhiker

I think your previous impulse to spend time in Umbria was a good one. I’d stay in Spello myself. From there, you can take the train to Spoleto, Assisi, Perugia. I can PM you a link to an apartment my husband and I have rented three times. The owner lives next door and is a delight. The apartment is very budget friendly and centrally located. Let me know if you’re interested.

Originally Posted by OlavE

Hi, this depends somewhat on exactly when in the fall you are going. Mid september is not the same as late november. The later you are going, the bigger incentive for going further south in Italy.

If you are going a bit earlier, It have a couple of suggestions. Stresa on the westerns shore of Lago Maggiore could be a good option. Short way from Milano Malpensa with train, very scenic town and a lot of good options for hiking. Also good for exploring the rest of Lago Maggiore, either with a boat or bus/train.

Also I can see on a rail map that towns like Orvieto and Arezzo are not a very long train journey from Rome. I see that others have mentioned towns in the same region.

Originally Posted by zebec

Bevagna. Easy access to Perugia, Spello and Norcia.
I am done. the fall

Originally Posted by Gio2012

Hello... I haven't seen all the replies... however fall in Italy is: wine&truffles in some areas mainly north (like Alba- in Piedmont), great sunshine days for bike tours in many other regions (Tuscany, Lazio), maybe with mountain, sun&beach in the south -- this is from mid september up to beginning of november.. I am expert in Alba area... there you can have great wine, truffles with the dedicated fair, visiit of wineries, organize mountan bike tours (even e-bike if you are not trained..) then can spend 2 days in Turin to visit great museum (egyptian and royal family)... hiking can be done anywhere, probably best area is cinque terre... other options can be bike tour of the laguna veneta, maybe why not spend a week in Umbria or 2 weeks in Sicily or have 2 weeks in campania to spend 12 hours in Pompei.. have fun. AH was forgetting... Alba is the place of the special local raw meat... try it,

Originally Posted by bilboburgler

Lecce has two train stations a route in from the north and a route down into the south of the heel where the towns are very interesting strange places, especially after the summer season. Lecce has some posh hotels but also some old buildings converted into B&Bs which are worth looking at.

Originally Posted by macdogmom

I have a friend that just spent some time in Sardinia and loved it. We have returned a few times to the Ligurian coast and stayed in Camolgi. We also really enjoyed our time in Puglia and town of Matera although that area is hard to navigate without a car.

Originally Posted by TDudette

Happy 20 years, sorriso! My late DH and I loved Pisa, Spoleto and Perugia as bases for Italy travel Click on my name to see trip reports. All but D.C./Md. are pre-covid so do double-check for what's current. Please share your trip back to Bella Italia!



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Originally Posted by Traveler_Nick

How modest is the budget? Hotels have soared in prices. Also depending on which month it'll still be high season.

November second week until say mid December should be cheaper. But I wouldn't suggest planning a hike. Maybe if you want to think about it last minute when you can see the weather but not something to set your heart on in advance. If you're thinking October expect high hotel prices. I know it's not even June but I bet many of the more economical locations have already seen bookings. I've had a booking for November in Venice since mid winter.

Florence isn't on your list. Neither is Bologna.

Originally Posted by emmamackenzie

The Amalfi Coast is one of my favorite places in Italy. Gorgeous coastlines, beautiful food and plenty of smaller towns and villages where you can have authentic local experiences. I loved Sorrento, Positano, and Conca dei Marini (where I spent most of my time on the beach). I felt very safe on my trip here as it's still enough of a tourist hotspot not to feel out of place. Keep us posted with where you decide to go!

Originally Posted by uktravelover

I noticed that you haven’t spent time in Tuscany so that is one option. If you don’t want to stay in Florence, try Lucca, Pisa or Arezzo. I would avoid an Agriturismo on this trip as you will probably need a car..

If you would like to do something that’s slightly different, you could try a one week activity holiday. Eg. cookery, painting, pilates. I’ve done a couple of Flavours cookery holidays (not gourmet) and they have a good balance between cooking, sightseeing and relaxation. Group size is about 15 and they pick you up from the airport/ rail station. They offer several locations in Italy.

Originally Posted by sorriso

Yes, of course Tuscany is a desired destination (actually I want to experience every part of Italy somehow some way) and I have considered an activity-based vacation. I've never been one for group travel but can see the benefit, I'll check it out!

Originally Posted by sorriso

UPDATE! My Delta credit is good for travel through 2024 and my son is available for a trip in March. I'm going to purchase a ticket now/soon because the credit needs to be redeemed in 2023 and start planning for March. I love that if the price drops I can rebook without penalty and have another credit.