I am beginning to start my Summer vacation planning and i think this year I may skip France and return to Italy. I have been to Italy 2 times and seen Rome, Florence, Sienna and Venice. Rome was my favorite. I didn't care for Florence and I thought Venice was beautiful by expensive. Generally I love going to the culinary capitals to have good food and wine. I also like to shop and see some sights. I like to hit a museum now and then but hate the mega-museums (Louvre, Metroploitan, Brtisih Museum). They are too overwhelming. My favorite part about vacationing is experiencing the cuture and street of the city. I also like to see the architecture and historical sights

OK, with all that. Where should I go in Italy that I haven't been to? I'd be interested to hear your response....

As you've already visited the big 3 and Siena and it will be summer, I'd head into the Italian Alps.

And what will I find there besides for mountains?

If you are looking for culinary capitols, check out Bologna and the surrounding region, which is known for its cuisine. I only spent an afternoon there but we enjoyed walking around the city and sitting in one of its many piazzas. We also loved visiting the Basilica Santuario della Madonna di San Luca.

Good luck!
Tracy

I too, become overwhelmed by the large museums.

How about Scicily? I personally haven't been (would love to go), but know others who have. I har it's a great.

Bologna would be a great choice. It is one of Italy's most underrated gems. And, if culinary delights are a major criterion, then Bologna has to top your list!

how many days for Bologna?

So are you starting off in Rome? or did I miss that info. and how long do you have? If you are starting in Rome (have you been to the Borghese museum there?) you could then head over to Assisi for a small town / culture, then maybe somewhere on the coast, either the Amalfi where you could do Pompei and the Naples arch. museum or you could head north for hiking in the Cinque Terre. I think almost everywhere in Italy there will be good food! and lovely things to shop for.

I think you could do justice to Bologna in 2 or 3 days. Some of the ways to enjoy the city:\
*Just sitting in a cafe at Piazza Maggiore (one of Italy's most splendid piazzas)
*Touring the small, but impressive Etruscan museum
*Touring the duomo
*Walking through some of the 22 miles of porticos
*Shopping (we found the prices much better than those in the big three tourist cities)
*And, of course, dining!

Bologna also makes a good location for daytrips--Ferrara, Ravenna, Modena, Parma, are all less than 2 hours away

I agree with HowardR; I think 2 or 3 days would be enough for Bologna.

Tracy

Yes, go to Bologna. You can read about a few places to eat if you look at the report I wrote after my trip last month. It is a beautiful city and, as another poster wrote, you can do some good day trips. You could fly there and then train to Verona and then northeast to the Dolomites and even on to Trieste for some good eating if you have the time. I think Sicily will be very hot in summer. Have you taken a look at Fred Plotkin's book on eating in Italy?