3 months in Italy?

You do mean 90 days per Schengen rules, right?

Much to my surprise, I really liked Sicily for the Greek and Roman ruins and my husband really liked Florence for, well, everything. We both enjoyed Lake Como and the Dolomites.

Lo, Josh describes himself as "Australian/Italian guy living in Melbourne". If he means he has Italian citizenship (and an Italian passport) as a result of his parents, then there is no 90 day limit.

Hello, Josh.

You will have time for seeing a good bit of Italy in three months. I spend almost three months there every summer that I can, and never get in as much as I want.

Please post your interests, and get a good guidebook (Lonely Planet?). In general, though: the South is cheaper than the North, public transportation is easier in the North, food is good everywhere. Point-to-point train tickets will probably still be cheaper than a rail pass. What kind of lodging are you interested in? What month will you start?

My favorite regions are Sicilia, Umbria, and Puglia.

i like going were the locals go

Abbruzzo will give your Italian a workout, as will Puglia. Both are popular with Italians in the summer and less frequented by English speakers. Easier to do with a car, but possible by train and bus.

If I had 12 weeks for Italy...

14 nts Rome
7 nts Amalfi (Sorrento, Positano, Capri, Pompeii, Naples)
To Sicily by ferry
7 nts Sicily
To Sardinia by ferry
7 nts Sardinia
To Genoa by ferry
4 nts Sta Margherita Liguria (CInque Terre)
3 nts Turin
3 nts Milan (Bergamo)
3 nts Lake Como
3 nts Verona (Mantova)
7 nts Dolomites
4 nts Padova (Vicenza, Ferrara)
4 nts Venice
4 nts Bologna (Parma, Modena, Ravenna)
7 nts Florence & Tuscany (Pisa, Lucca, Siena, San Gimignano, Chianti, Montepulciano)
7 nts Umbria (Orvieto, Assisi)

I like David's list, though I haven't been to Turin or Sardinia. I'd allow a lot more time for Sicily, though. Three weeks there would be great.

Last fall I spent 2 1/2 months in Italy. Leased a car from AutoEurope and rented a apartment 15 miles south of Florence. In that time I stayed a few days each in Rome, Venice, and Cinque Terre. The rest of the time I drove all throughout Tuscany and Umbria on day trips. No itinerary at all. Best trip I ever had. I will repeat in 2017. The car can take you to many places.

Josh,

You are so fortunate to have such an opportunity. I have visited most of Italy and truly enjoyed Puglia. Try to go....you will not be disappointed. How are you planning on getting around? As you may know a car is not necessarily in many areas, however, I love the convenience of getting around as I please with a car. Additionally, if you do go to Puglia a car is really great. There are trains but some of the stations are a little remote and you will need to get from the station to the towns. The drive from Rome to Puglia is really pretty and very safe. I rented a trulli in Cisternino (La Fogliarella) and found it to be a great base for exploring the area. Enjoy your trip.

Lorieann

Thanks so much guys for all the suggestions. Im at Dubai Airport waiting for my flight ro Rome. I am checking out the places that all of you mentiond and i will tailor it to my way of travelling. I love the fact that all of you like to get away from the beatin track and spen time in the side streets.
I don't think i will be hiring a car but you never know.