60ish year old sisters planning itinerary southern Europe looking for "don't miss" things

My step- son was stationed at that AF base, and we were there precovid.
It's so close to so many areas.
We really like Lake Como, Varenna , hotel du Lac for about three nights. Ask for a room with a balcony and lake view.
And with Go-Opti small van service, you could easily get to Ljubljana , Slovenia, and get out to Lake Bled (on the city bus).
The Go-Opti shuttle van picked us up by the entrance gate to the base.
And then there's Padua.... so many options.
Have a wonderful, time with your sister!

I wanted to recommend Ravenna, for the 5th-6th century Byzantine mosaics. Suggest staying at least a couple of nights.

I would recommend taking a deep dive into Italy. It would be just easier. The trains are good. You can't beat the art and architecture and the food. I also vote for Ravenna. I have heard the same thing about Barcelona from a native son who has just come back after working 5 years in the US; He was shocked!

Here is what I would suggest for you and your sister, based on your interests, the time of year, and our own expensive experiences in Italy. This can be done entirely by train.;

From Venice, or Vicenza where I assume your nephew is stationed, head south via Verona to Ravenna. Stunning mosaics which will appeal to the artist in you as well as your interest in antiquities. I can recommend Palazzo Bezzi as a nice place to stay there. The city is friendly and very walkable. You need at least 2 nights there. Then continue south to Puglia,

Edit: The website deleted the rest of what I wrote, which is very discouraging. Basically, I suggested working your way down to Lecce, the “Florence of the South”, and saying in an AirBnB offered by a fellow artist. Before that, several night is a coastal village such as Monopoli, which is beautiful and much less crowded tha than Cinque Terra villages. I can add details if you are interested.

I am so grateful for these replies, and will take all of this into consideration as we get down to our planning. I’m very proud of my nephew, and am grateful to spend time with him, but this adventure is greatly needed. I would love to hear other villages that were hinted at by the last writer (I’m Box sorry your reply got partially erased). I have been to Assisi and I loved it. There was a boys choir singing in the cathedral when I went through and I still get goosebumps thinking about it. But small coastal towns are charming and hold lots of inspiration for an artist. . Do you know of artisan villages? I know during the renaissance this was very popular, but did not realize it was still going on there. I really haven’t had time for research.

I had thought about Avignon and Southern France by train too. Time goes so fast.

When is your trip? That will make a difference in the suggestions you get. If summer, you will need to be wary of the heat, and the crowds in some areas.

I have re-read your post and have second thoughts about recommending Puglia. It is a long way south—all the way down to the “heel of the boot” and would take many hours by train—-too much for one day or even 2. Although you could fly to Bari or Brindisi. Also, the garden apartment rented out by the artist I mentioned appears to no longer be available.

The one thing I still recommend is visiting Ravenna, for the stunning mosaics.

https://www.ravennamosaici.it/en/

Use the arrow at right to scroll through the photos at the top of the page, then go to one of the actual sites listed below, such as Basilica de San Vitale, and open that to see a gallery of photos from that building.

Ravenna is now one of the ports used instead of Venice for cruise ships, but I don’t know how many of those passengers actually spend a night or two in Ravenna. If there is little lodging available, Ravenna is an easy daytrip from Bologna or Ferrara. And both of those downs are worth visiting in their own right.

From there you could continue to Florence and Cinque Terre as you originally thought, so long as it is not mid-summer. Maybe include Assisi, of which you have happy memories. You could stay in the nearby village of Spello, a small hill town famous for its flower-filled alleyways. (Google Images of Spello to see).

Lola, thanks so much for the info. We are traveling the beginning of April. Your recommendations sound fabulous and I really appreciate you taking the time to write. In very excited to see more of Italy. Grazie

I spent 3 nights in Ravenna during September 2022, and it wasn't remotely overrun. I think the cruisers head straight to Venice. I believe the port of Ravenna isn't near the historic center of town, so they probably never see it. I have a feeling this situation may not last too much longer. You'd think the word would get out about how long a trip it is from the port of Ravenna to Venice.