Thinking about Italy for Fall 2022 - Where Would you Go?
#21
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"LeMarche sounds intriguing and sort of off the beaten tourist path. Anyone other than Leely2 spent time in that area?"
I saw that you posted on my recent Umbria report, where Le Marche was mentioned. At one point, I mentioned our visit to Le Marche a number of years ago and posted photos. I think this link will help navigate (post 185): Ultimate Umbria in 4 Weeks
I saw that you posted on my recent Umbria report, where Le Marche was mentioned. At one point, I mentioned our visit to Le Marche a number of years ago and posted photos. I think this link will help navigate (post 185): Ultimate Umbria in 4 Weeks
#22
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Or how about Rapallo/Portofino/Portovenere/Cinque Terre/Genoa & more: Rapallo/Cinque Terre/20 Places/8 Nights Sept/Oct
Cinque Terre
Cinque Terre
#23
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"LeMarche sounds intriguing and sort of off the beaten tourist path. Anyone other than Leely2 spent time in that area?"
I saw that you posted on my recent Umbria report, where Le Marche was mentioned. At one point, I mentioned our visit to Le Marche a number of years ago and posted photos. I think this link will help navigate (post 185): Ultimate Umbria in 4 Weeks
I saw that you posted on my recent Umbria report, where Le Marche was mentioned. At one point, I mentioned our visit to Le Marche a number of years ago and posted photos. I think this link will help navigate (post 185): Ultimate Umbria in 4 Weeks
#24
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I sent you the link of the Spello apartment via pm. It felt very much like home, was spacious, and in the center, which means church bells, music from a nearby restaurant, street traffic, etc., but we like being in the middle of things. We slept well between the last and first church bell (11-6), and, as ambitious travelers, that was enough for us. We did find hiking Cinque Terre was not so crowded, and we did it on a beautiful late September day. But some of the towns, especially Vernazza, were ridiculous. Most of the other places on the Italian Riviera were busy but not crazy. We have also been to most of the lakes in the fall, Iseo, Orta, Maggiore, Como and Garda and didn't feel swamped with tourists. We would do both the Italian Riviera and the lakes again in the fall if the opportunity presents itself. And, then there is Sardinia.
#25
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I sent you the link of the Spello apartment via pm. It felt very much like home, was spacious, and in the center, which means church bells, music from a nearby restaurant, street traffic, etc., but we like being in the middle of things. We slept well between the last and first church bell (11-6), and, as ambitious travelers, that was enough for us. We did find hiking Cinque Terre was not so crowded, and we did it on a beautiful late September day. But some of the towns, especially Vernazza, were ridiculous. Most of the other places on the Italian Riviera were busy but not crazy. We have also been to most of the lakes in the fall, Iseo, Orta, Maggiore, Como and Garda and didn't feel swamped with tourists. We would do both the Italian Riviera and the lakes again in the fall if the opportunity presents itself. And, then there is Sardinia.
#26
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Reasonably priced apartment as well.
And, yes, we stayed in Rapallo, and Cinque Terre was an easy day trip. We had a car, but didn't use it since we were able to walk to Santa Margaita Ligure and Portofino from there and rail to Genoa, Cinque Terre, Portovenere and other places was frequent and easy.
If interested, here is our trip report on Sardinia: Sardinia! You Gotta Go!! 8 nights. October
And, yes, we stayed in Rapallo, and Cinque Terre was an easy day trip. We had a car, but didn't use it since we were able to walk to Santa Margaita Ligure and Portofino from there and rail to Genoa, Cinque Terre, Portovenere and other places was frequent and easy.
If interested, here is our trip report on Sardinia: Sardinia! You Gotta Go!! 8 nights. October
#27
Instead of staying in one of the Cinque Terre towns, we stayed in Portovenere, which, 20+ years ago, was not yet discovered by Americans and was still mainly a town that Italian families visited. From Portovenere, we were able to take a ferry to the C.T. and walk between a couple of towns, but it was definitely away from the tourist crush. And this was in July! 20+ years ago, of course.
#28
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Instead of staying in one of the Cinque Terre towns, we stayed in Portovenere, which, 20+ years ago, was not yet discovered by Americans and was still mainly a town that Italian families visited. From Portovenere, we were able to take a ferry to the C.T. and walk between a couple of towns, but it was definitely away from the tourist crush. And this was in July! 20+ years ago, of course.
#29
The more I think about it, the more I think we would like to stay pretty much in the vicinity between Rome and Bologna, our inbound and out bound flights. We've been to Rome several times and Bologna once before and have wanted to revisit. We would do day trips at least to Ravenna to revisit and maybe as suggested Ferrara.
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I appreciate all the ideas. Google maps is my friend plotting all the various possibilities.
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I appreciate all the ideas. Google maps is my friend plotting all the various possibilities.
#30
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I agree -- if anything there are just too many choices--all of them good!
#33
Join Date: Jul 2021
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Since you will move by car, you have lots of interesting possibilities. Thinking of your interst in art, history and small towns, I would recommend some places close to Rome, like Rieti where you can try the exquisite black and white truffle, Tarquinia discovering the etruscan civilization, lake Bolsena.
Going your way up towards Bologna, a 2-3 days stay in Elba Island would be really great. It is a small island you can easily and shortly reach by ferry. It has wonderful beaches and towns. Moreover autumn is a good time to go there, there are less tourists and the weather is still really nice.
Other very recommended places are Perugia, Urbino, Ferrara, Parma, Reggio-Emilia.
Also considering you are gonna stay in Bologna for some time I would suggest a couple of one-day visits to Dozza and Rocchetta Mattei, two very beautiful hidden gems, off the beaten paths but very suggestive and unique.
If you had never been to Venice I think it is a must-do, it is such a peculiar place with a charming and romantic feeling.
Going your way up towards Bologna, a 2-3 days stay in Elba Island would be really great. It is a small island you can easily and shortly reach by ferry. It has wonderful beaches and towns. Moreover autumn is a good time to go there, there are less tourists and the weather is still really nice.
Other very recommended places are Perugia, Urbino, Ferrara, Parma, Reggio-Emilia.
Also considering you are gonna stay in Bologna for some time I would suggest a couple of one-day visits to Dozza and Rocchetta Mattei, two very beautiful hidden gems, off the beaten paths but very suggestive and unique.
If you had never been to Venice I think it is a must-do, it is such a peculiar place with a charming and romantic feeling.
#34
Frankly, moving by car means you see virtually nothing of the country or the people. I would recommend you move by bicycle for some real life affirming experiences. Just because Italy has so much does not mean you have to run around like a kid in a sweet shop. Slow down, eat at small places, stay in small places and enjoy the climate.
#35
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Frankly, moving by car means you see virtually nothing of the country or the people. I would recommend you move by bicycle for some real life affirming experiences. Just because Italy has so much does not mean you have to run around like a kid in a sweet shop. Slow down, eat at small places, stay in small places and enjoy the climate.
YourtrueItaly--thanks for all the great suggestions. I actually visited Dozza years ago. We happened upon it and spent the day there...charming and the street art was so cool to come upon. Having a contest is such a great idea. I will read about some of the other places you suggest.
#36
The people on bicycles and the people in cars can (and often do) travel on the same roads. You can have life-affirming experiences anywhere, no matter what mode of transportation you use and how you like to travel.
It's your vacation. Have the trip you want.
It's your vacation. Have the trip you want.
#37
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Last edited by yestravel; Nov 24th, 2021 at 03:08 PM.
#38
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The best for you
I suggest you must visit this please in Italy. It is a food market that you can find on the first Sunday of every month in the city of Venice, Italy. A "passerelle" or a walkway is formed over the Grand Canal with patisseries, fish, cheese, and other food that can be bought. I’ve heard of this market before but I never had the chance to visit it until now.
#39
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I suggest you must visit this please in Italy. It is a food market that you can find on the first Sunday of every month in the city of Venice, Italy. A "passerelle" or a walkway is formed over the Grand Canal with patisseries, fish, cheese, and other food that can be bought. I’ve heard of this market before but I never had the chance to visit it until now.
#40
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Instead of staying in one of the Cinque Terre towns, we stayed in Portovenere, which, 20+ years ago, was not yet discovered by Americans and was still mainly a town that Italian families visited. From Portovenere, we were able to take a ferry to the C.T. and walk between a couple of towns, but it was definitely away from the tourist crush. And this was in July! 20+ years ago, of course.
Then again, it's been almost 10 years since the big mudslides? I wonder if any of the paths are reopened by now.
The Portofino promontory area is great too -- Rapallo, SML, Camogli. But if you stay there, CT becomes more of a day trip.
As for the OP, Val d'Orcia is great. Also Palladio buildings in Vicenza and some other nearby cities, but that's further away from Bologna and obviously there are a lot of places in Emiglia Romagna.