What to do... a week in Italy after Tuscany/Umbria week

[Fmax]

I'm putting aside my Città della Pieve planning at the moment until I hear if some of the group are renting cars or not. The villa's booked, flights to Pisa booked and some excursions researched with still 6 months or so to go, so don't feel too bad.

Next dilemma, what to do week on my own and rather not drive. Open to some ideas to allow me to see a bit more of italy. First couple of nights in Florence as there's a lantern festival. I had a few hours there years ago and wouldn't mind seeing a bit more of it. Although not tied 100% to this plan if somehting makes more sense.

Without spending a lot of time travelling, what would be an itinerary that would let me see something different from the Umbria/Tuscany area.

Something is pulling me towards Venice as i loved the little I saw off it pre-cruise years ago.
I have started looking at airbnb, vrbo etc for ideas of places to stay. However, given its the tail end of a 3 1/2 week trip, I don't want it to be high end (stayed at Laconda orseole last time as a splurge) and wondered if wiser to stay elsewhere and do daytrip into venice.

International flights aren't booked so can fly back from Venice, Rome, or possibly even Milan although itinerary taking me there might be more travel than anything?

Object: Less touristy and more a discovery of local italy. Wine and food is always plus. Love photography and one day will do something with all my travel photos.

Sorry if this is somewhat vague and know it probably needs narrowed down but thought I would get input from expert travellers to help narrow it down. So thanks in advance for your input.

 

[Pauline]

Quoting from your other thread to remind me the time of year you are traveling.

A 3 week break this year will take me to London for a couple of days, Scotland (back home visiting with friends and family) for a week, villa in citta della pieve with 10 friends for birthday celebrations and then a week on my own travelling around italy. ... Will be there 2nd week of September.

So it will be the 3rd week in September when you are on your own for the last week of your trip. You say the first part of the trip will be busy and I think the week with your friends at the villa will probably feel like a bit of a whirlwind. Maybe it would be nice to pick one place and spend the week.

Venice is not going to "Less touristy and more a discovery of local italy" because it is a very popular tourist destination and the cruise ships stop there, filling up the town during the day. BUT people love Venice (not me, but I was only there once for 3 nights in 1996 - and I really should go back).

Florence is lovely but from what I hear is very full of tourists now too. It would be an easy train ride from your villa. You could do a few day trips out of Florence by train - Pisa, maybe even into Liguria, which is lovely.

Rome is full of tourists too, but is a larger city, so it seems to cope. I love Rome and have done a few one or two week trips staying there. By mid-September it would be cooler (can get hot in the summer).

Or you could pick something very different. Spend the week in Perugia or Orvieto, both in Umbria and not far from the villa. Or hop on the train and head south for a week in an exciting southern town - Naples, Bari.

If it were me, I would pick a place and spend a week. Take the time to really get to know it and enjoy it.

I am going to change your thread title to make it about the topic - to entice some others to reply.

 

[Anne]

I'm unabashedly biased toward Florence! I've been there three times, in March, July and October. Touristy...yes, but you can get away from the hordes. Walk up to San Miniato, take a bus to Fiesole, visit the less well known museums (by which I mean anything other than the Uffizi, the Accademia and Pitti Palace! lol) You could make a daytrip to Pisa, which has way more to offer than just the tower (although it is worth seeing, imo.)

Another possibility is Ferarra...my mom and I were there for close to a week a few years ago, and had a wonderful time exploring the charms of the city. We were there in August, and it wasn't touristy at all, but I'm not sure what it would be like in Sept.

I am quite partial to Venice too, though...it's not too hard to get away from the crowds, they tend to hang around a very small area around the Rialto and San Marco.

 

[artnbarb]

What about a week further north, in Verona, maybe? Then if you wanted you could easily day trip to lots of places, including Venice. OTOH, Verona's likely to be full of tourists too, but perhaps not quite as many as Florence. Still I like being in a city at night when all the tourists go home! And if you still want a few days in Florence, I'd be tempted to stay there the entire time - I could never, ever get tired of Florence, tourists or not!

 

[Fmax]

Pauline, thanks for making more sense of the title of this thread. You may be right in suggesting maybe stick to one place rather than various stops along the way. . It's week of 13th and as I originally was thinking of heading to venice I would be going through Florence any way and thought it worth revisiting for a night or two - also means I don't have to do it the week I'm at the villa.

I know Venice is touristy but had been considering more as a base - just love the whole feel of it. Was there in sept or oct before and it didn't seem too bad. Now the ships aren't docking in centre of venice so that may impact the crowds as well. I'm just thinking venice might be on the pricier side as a base. Can also check the cruise calendar (I'm a cruiser at heart) to see how crowded it would be that week.

Anne, will have to look into Ferrara. My original thought had been florence, Bologna then Venice until I started research then I totally lost the plot... too many places to choose from. Art, I had been looking at Verona as well so maybe my original thought was on track... either stay most of the time in Florence and a day or two at end of trip in Venice and leave from there, or a few days in Florence and somewhere along the line from Florence to Venice for most of the rest of the week. It's definitely food for thought.

 

[Anne]

By the way, Ferrara is on the main line between Bologna and Venice, so good potential for daytrips by train, plus there are regular trains to Ravenna (if those mosaics appeal to you!) I definitely think it's worth considering as your base for the week if you're looking for something a little less touristy.

Look forward to hearing how your plans progress!

 

[artnbarb]

Art, I had been looking at Verona as well so maybe my original thought was on track... either stay most of the time in Florence and a day or two at end of trip in Venice and leave from there, or a few days in Florence and somewhere along the line from Florence to Venice for most of the rest of the week. It's definitely food for thought.

Hi there! Just wanted to introduce myself - I'm Barbara, and most people here know that Art is added in parenthetically - not because he's an after-thought, but because he's never really on the forums -but I do keep him posted with everyone's news! So, unless you see a post specifically signed "Art", it'll be me, Barbara asking or answering! I'm sorry our paths won't cross - we're there in June/July!

 

[Fmax]

Barbara, thanks for the update/correction.

Yes, it's too bad our timing doesn't coincide. I actually lucked out getting 3+ weeks for vacation, so wanted to make the most of it and stay in italy a bit longer. Some of my friends might actually stay on for that week as well but they're not planners/proactive and haven't been before and don't know what area they want to cover so I plan to do my own thing and if their plans work in with mine, that's great but not banking on it.

 

[Pauline]

It is hard to decide when there is so much to choose from. Any of these choices would be good.

 

[Fmax]

I had a quick look at accommodation through airbnb last night, starting in bologna, ferrara then moving across to venice, verona etc. I'm leaning towards Verona based on what i'm seeing, but still other site to check. I also accidently hit on Lake Garda, as if I needed anything else to confuse me. Some nice, inexpensive options for accommodation, scenic views and if I don't end up contemplating that as a base, I will as day trip.

I'm just thankful I have a relatively narrow area I'm looking at. My friends who are also doing the same week have never been to Italy before and their only criteria is to see as much as possible!

 

[Pauline]

We have vacation rental resources on the main website - Vacation Rentals in Italy - lists of local agencies and websites to help you search for vacation rentals. Just to add more choices to your search.

 

[Pauline]

How about Lake Como? You can visit the towns on the lake by ferry. It is close to Milan so you could fly home from there. Lake Garda is a bit small and probably better in the summer.

 

[italian excursion]

I'm a bit late to the party but I love hearing everyone's ideas. I agree that Verona, Bologna or Lake Garda are good ideas for a week on one's own. Not that keen on Ferrara, but then I don't know it that well. Let us know what you decide, F Max…..And, for the record, I always think of you as "BarbnArt, Barb!

 

[artnbarb]

…..And, for the record, I always think of you as "BarbnArt, Barb!

I get that a lot!

 

[Fmax]

Well two of my friends are now joining me after week at villa. Possiblility it might be 3, but definitely 2. They're going to rome for a couple of days and I was orginally going to Florence for the lantern festival. Discovered the festival is the previous weekend so still undecided whether to still go to florence, or go to Bologna.

We will meet up for 3 nights in Verona and 2 nights in Venice all all fly back to our respective homes from there. Still looking at accommodation for Verona and venice. I'm looking at this place for Verona but just waiting for confirmation if the sofa turns into bed so we have a 4th bed if the other person joins us
http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p1007072?uni_id=1312466
There's not many review but the ones for the smaller apt seem positive and it's a good deal.

Haven't shortlisted anything for Venice yet.

 

[italian excursion]

Looks like a very nice place and the price is reasonable. You do realize Venice will be much more expensive, right?

Have fun..
Cheryl
www.italianexcursion.com

 

[Fmax]

I'm presuming Venice will be the most expensive part of my trip and don't mind spending a bit more since it's only for a couple of nights and if we can get an apt, split 3 or 4 ways, it shouldn't be too bad. Several of us are turn 50 this year (purpose of the trip) so I decided I'm worth the splurge, my gift to myself

 

[Pauline]

There are a lot of good local vacation rental agencies with apartments in Venice. I have a list here.

 

[italian excursion]

That's a great birthday present to yourself. Pauline's correct; there are many good rental agencies and Venice is a magical place to be for a 50th year celebration!

Ciao,
Cheryl
www.italianexcursion.com

 

[Fmax]

Thanks Pauline. I started looking at some of the sites for venice accommodation, but some aren't applicable as they need minimum of 3 nights but am sure I'll find some options.