We would like to spend ten nights in Italy in late November - that is when it is best for us to take our vacation and we have no problem with the weather and also enjoy the lack of crowds.

I have been to Italy 18 times and my husband three and we would like to explore a different area of the country this trip. We have spent a good deal of time in Tuscany, as well as Rome, Venice. I have also spent time in Sicily, Sardinia, and Liguria. I really enjoyed my visit to Liguria but I know that is not the best time of year for that region. The beauty of the coastline and the small towns dotting the area was really a pleasure. We also enjoyed a brief visit to Orvieto.

We are considering the Dolomites (not so easy to get to though) or perhaps Emilia Romagna. I have also wanted to spend time in Marche.

Our primary interests are food and wine, more so than the standard tourist pursuits. We like to walk and we will be relying on public transport. We prefer to base in no more than 2 places and be able to make some day trips from there.

Can anyone suggest an itinerary for us?

Thanks!

I am really not sure where to begin this time around.

Bologna is a big train hub so it's great a a central pot to stay for great day trips. (Parma, Modena, Ferrara, Ravenna, Rimini, Mantova all nearby) Bologna is considered by Italians to be the food center of the country, so ti would be perfect for you. You could stay there the entire time, or split between two destinations, choosing a smaller town (Parma . . . cheese! . . . ham!) in addition to Bologna.

I think the weather in the Dolomites would be iffy by late November.

We loved Bologna - stayed there last year for 4 nights. We are considering a return trip since we had such a great experience.

excuse me for the typo— " central SPOT" —though central POT works well when speaking of Bologna . . . a pot of tortelloni!

Well ellenem, since beautiful Bologna is know as being an university city pot is found quite easily, lol.

Food and wine? Why not visit Piemonte? If you situate yourself properly, you can dip down into Liguria on nice weather days.

It's probably easiest with a car but that wouldn't stop me from researching the public transportation options. I could spend a week in Torino, for its desserts and apertivi alone, but also its eclectic museums. From there you might move south -- but which town has the best transportation connections, I don't know. But I do know I'd want to spend some of the time in risotto country. I might pair Torino with Mantova. What a fun trip that would be. (Note to self.)

However, if not Piemonte, I would pick Umbria for wine and chocolate -- and of course fantastic art -- and Emilia-Romagna for food, plus a lot of quirky interest.

So I'd spend one week in Bologna and another in Perugia, although if you prefer smaller places (and not steep climbing) Spoleto is on the train line.

I think somebody recently did a trip report where they used Perugia as a base for extensive day-tripping.

A helpful thread if you pick Perugia/Umbria:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...and-trains.cfm

By the way, if you go back to Bologna and you didn't visit Brisighella last time you were in the area, you might enjoy it. One of Italy's few scenic train rides will get you there.

http://goeurope.about.com/od/brisigh...ella-Pictures/

Hi Kfusto - I'd avoid the Dolomites in November. Besides the weather (- iffy as Ellenem says), it's close season

Steve

Steve, so it's not like the Austrian Alps? We enjoy that area in late November and early December for the festive markets and celebrations.

Kfusto - Early December is good - I usually go the second week of December when the lifts re-open for the start of the ski season. The Christmas markets are open - like in Austria/Germany - and it's a nice time to visit in the run-up to Xmas. There are good hotel deals to be had too.

But in November the lifts are closed, so you don't really get to see the best of the Dolomites.

Steve

Steve, thanks for clarifying.

zeppole, thanks so much for the suggestions and also for the link to Brisighella - it looks gorgeous!

Jean, thanks for the link to the thread.

Lots to consider but now but I am thinking we'll save the Dolomites til next time since we will be in the Austrian Alps this year and head back to Umbria and Emilia-Romagna. Public transport is good enough there for us to explore fairly easily. But I will also research the other recommendations.

I appreciate all the great suggestions!

Another vote for Piemonte - it is truffle season. IMO, Piemonte has the best food of all Italy (it belonged to France for a long time). And some of the best wines (Barolo, Gavi, Asti) come from Piemonte.

And, travelwise, Piemonte can easily be combined with Umbria and Emilia-Romagna. And if you are in the area, Milano, Lago Maggiore (for a daytrip to Isola Bella) and Verona are worthy destinations.

Now truffles can certainly influence the decision! We enjoy Tuscany in the fall for truffles.

We have spent time in Milano over the years and also the Lakes but Verona has always been on the list.