charnees

We spent one week in Bologna, which is a pretty big city, and had a nice time touring two cheese factories and a balsamic vinegar producer in Parma and Modena. And enjoyed the great regional foods very much.

But then we left the hectic atmosphere there and moved to a tiny little town NW of Orvieto called Torre Alfina. We are staying in a villa to die for, with 6 other people, shopping in the little town stores, and cooking stunning meals from the villa's garden. It's so lovely and peaceful here, we have decided to stay on instead of going on to Rome, even though there are many things I still want to see in Rome. It is just so wonderful here in Torre Alfina we don't want to leave! The people are friendly, they love it when we try our poor Italian.

There is a castle dominating the top of the hill, and the town cascades down from there. It's full of tiny staircases and alleys. We are in love with the place!

walkabout

Yes, I believe it. A lot of people would never skip Rome, but different strokes for different folks. It sounds like you have found a place that nurtures your soul, and you want to savor it as long as you can. Good for you!

quokka

There are thousands of places in Italy that are worth seeing apart from the Big 3. One could travel for years without touching them. You cannot do everything in one trip so you have to select, and you can always return to see other places, in this case Rome. It is your trip and all that counts is what you like. If you like Torre Alfina that much, stay. Rome won't run away. Neither at the airport nor some day at heaven's door you will be questioned whether you ticked off the list of the so-called must-sees ;-)

kerouac

Not every holiday needs to be about cities. And the eternal city knows how to wait.

Gretchen

Rome is about one of my most unfavorite places--rude people, big sprawling hard to get around. Have fun where you are!!

jubilada

It's a good bet that Rome will still be there if you return.

hausfrau

I adore Rome (I'm so sorry Gretchen, but I've found Rome to be full of friendly people and the old city is easy to get around in on foot) but I can totally understand your perspective, as I am not normally a big city person myself. I would take a small village with a castle over a big city any day.

Would you believe we have blown off Paris in the past? ;-)

tcreath

I too adore Rome and I'm not usually a city person. I found the centro storico to be very easy to get around on foot. But with that being said Rome will still be there when the OP wants to visit. Sounds like you found a wonderful little gem!

Tracy

Dukey1

Would you believe there are travelers who actually BLOW OFF the Italian countryside and small towns? Amazing isn't it?

AlessandraZoe

It's always delightful to read that someone is "living in the present" while traveling. We all have too many checklists in our daily life as it is.

bobthenavigator

It was my 8th trip to Italy before I spent time in Rome--it was a week then.

kerouac

I've been most places in the world, but I haven't bothered to go to Venice yet, even though I have been to Trieste. 8-)

bookchick

There's an old thread here called (something to the effect of) "Did You Find Rome A Horror". I personally love Rome, but I realise it's not for everyone and I certainly don't take it personally when someone opts out of it.

The most important thing is that you're enjoying yourself!

Buon Viaggio,
BC

fanshawe

charnees, how lucky you are to have the option of prolonging your delights! Enjoy!

ekc

Lucky you charnees, now you can come back on another trip and rent an apartment in Rome and have the time to really "experience" the city!

socaltraveler

I totally understand it, and I really like Rome. Sounds like your village stay is incredibly mellow - enjoy the rest of your vacation. Not every trip has to be about cities - Rome will be there when you decide to visit her on another trip. Glad you liked Bologna, we had a wonderful time eating in and around there in June.

Viajero2

Stay where you want to be. Rome isn't going anywhere. Someday you may want to be in Rome.

Sassafrass

Really enjoying where you are is the best part of any trip. The first time we went to the AC, we planned to stay a couple of days and go on to Rome. We ended up staying on the AC 10 days - no Rome on that trip. It was the best trip we ever had. On another, we planned to go to Brugge and on to Amsterdam. We stayed a week in Brugge, still haven't been back to Amsterdam. This may be your most memorable trip.

rbnwdlr

How about a link to your villa? I'd like to see the place that would make someone skip my favorite city - Rome! We are thinking of going to Tuscany next summer. Thanks!

mohun

Well, we could be thought of as "blowing off" Paris and that has been pointed out by at least a couple of friends. We'd spent a very enjoyable week in Paris in 2001 (I'd promised my wife a dinner in a French restaurant for our anniversary), but, when we worked out our itinerary for our three-week trip in 2009, and wanted to include some Spain (Madrid and Barcelona), some south of France (Nimes and Beaune) and London, we actually traveled by fast train from Dijon (after transfer from Beaune) to Gare de Lyon in Paris, had a quick ham sandwich in the rail station café, took a taxi to Gare du Nord and took the Eurostar on to St. Pacras in London.

There didn't seem to be anywhere that a flight would save us a day's travel (the longest being Barcelona to Nimes).