I will be traveling between Venice and Rome during the last week of September and 1st week of October. The plan is for 5 days in each city and I would like to spend somewhere between the two cities for an additional 5 days. My initial thought would be to rent a car for the time between Venice and Rome for the flexibility it affords. I have visited Florence and Montichiello (Val d'Orica) on previous trips. I enjoy the travel for the overall experiences, museums, architecture, history and food. Any suggestions are welcome.

Your options are nearly unlimited!

I could recommend all the towns I visited in Umbria during one trip. Assisi, Spello, Gubbio, Montefalco. Stayed in Spello and absolutely loved the beautiful, tiny centro with all the flowers and my hotel, Pallazzo Bocci, the real thing. This was in 2005 so check current reviews.

Food wine art history and scenery were all fantastic.

Of course, you will get many recommendations from others for their own favorites.


Buon viaggio

Dayle Thank you your input. I guess I should have added that I want to stay in one location for the 5 days and do day trips from there.

Spello is a fairly good base for day tripping. Easy parking, easy in and out. You can see Assisi from Spello and Montefalco is half day trip. Other nice towns nearby are Spoleto and Bevegna, two I did not have time for. Even Gubbio was about an hour drive, but I'm going from memory.

I liked the fact that overall Umbria is less touristed than Tuscany, but still very beautiful.

Several Fodorites have done trip reports about visiting the Piano Grande in Umbria, a place I would like to see if I get to return.

Others have enjoyed Perugia and Urbino, although those are larger cities that are reported to be difficult driving and parking so maybe places to visit rather than base with a car.

Just my thoughts. As I said, your options are many!

Oh, also visited beautiful Todi, Civita de Bagnoreggio, Deruta (ceramics), basing in Orvieto which remains one of my most favorite places in Italy, and another easy in and out with a car.

Abby5205 Are you looking for a city or do you prefer to stay in the smaller towns?

Personally I would go to Ravenna. Although most people only go for a night at most, it is actually quite a handsome town with good food and, of course, spectacular sights, and can be sued as a base for interesting day trips to Brisighella, Dozza, Santarcangelo in Romagna, Rimini, Cesanatico, Comacchio. I would probably take the train to Bologna and pick up the car there.

sundriedtopepo I would prefer the smaller towns simply because of the parking issues. A larger city is Ok, if parking is easily available. The main concern, is to try an experience an area of Italy and not just one town or city. I will give me a good idea for future trip in 2017/2018

I agree with Dayle that Umbria would be a very rewarding trip for you. If you base in or near Bevegna or Spello you would be very central for exploring the region. There are many small towns, cities and lovely countryside to explore and keep you busy for 5 days. The food is great also. Umbria is one of my favorite areas in Italy to visit.