A Good Base of a week

Most people like Bologna, but I didn't. However, it's not a small village, but a city (it certainly felt bigger than Perugia). In addition, the daytrip possibilities include Parma, Modena, Ravenna, Ferrara, and Florence. I saw all but Florence as daytrips from Bologna, and loved them all (I loved Ferrara so much that I saw it again on a later trip, that time as a daytrip from Padova). So, I think anyone could fill a week there easily. A classic spot for daytrips would be Sorrento. With options including Naples, Pompeii, Herculaneum, Mt. Vesuvius, Capri, Positano, Ravello, Amalfi, Paestum, and Ischia, filling a week with day trips would not be a problem - even if you have no interest in Sorrento itself.

How about Verona? There's a lot in the immediate area that you can explore, and it's very easy to walk around in. You could explore the Valpolicella if you're into wine. You can easily day trip to Padova, Mantova, Vicenza, tons of places. And you're close to some lakes including Garda, in case that matches your interests. Here are some photos we took in Verona and Padova in May of last year, in case you're interested. Happy travels.

Bologna is a good choice as a base, it is a relatively large city which will give you better transportation options as well as more choices for people who need some type of accommodation (elevators rather than walk-ups, etc.). The historic center is very compact and easy to walk, it's also flatter than most cities. There's also an airport nearby.

We have spent a week in Bologna for each of the last 3 years and plan to return next year. Apart from finding it one of the friendliest places we have visited it is also well placed for train trips to other places. BTW the friendliness thing is not just our opinion, we found out later that Italians themselves also think so. Here is a useful guide to the city with themed itineraries http://www.emiliaromagnaturismo.it/en/publications/donwloads/GuidaBologna.pdf/view?searchterm=guides There is one thing to bear in mind. It is an important Trade Fair/Exhibition city and accom prices shoot up. If you can avoid those times you will get better value for money. Here is a calender showing 2012 events. Check towards the end of the year for 2013. http://www.bolognafiere.it/en/calendario/cronologico_corrente

This is excellent information - thank you all very much for your input. I really appreciate the help! drc

How about Puglia? If you want to stay in a city, you could get an apartment in Lecce. It would be a bit of a trek from Lucca, but this would be a totally different experience. Lecce is a short train/bus ride from Brindisi (and slightly longer from Bari), where you can catch flights to Rome or Milan for your flight home. From Lecce you can visit some amazing sights (the trulli villages of Alberobello & Locorotondo; the sassi of Matera; Galipoli; the coastal towns along the Adriatic). Or, for something totally different, stay at a masseria (farmhouse) in Puglia (perhaps near Ostuni or Fasano). You would need a car, but would be just short drives away from all of the sights listed above. I can't give you first-hand recommendations yet, but we will spend about 2 weeks in this area in October (a week in Lecce, 2 nights in Matera, 5 nights on a masseria) and have found plenty of interesting things to do and see.

Definitely not Positano or Pompeii for people who can only walk short distance. Positano is really one big hill and Pompeii involves a lot of walking on uneven paths. You could stay in Sorrento but would rule out these two stops in my opinion.