Destination advice

How about Turin + the Italian Riviera (including the Cinque Terre)? I visited Turin for the first time this May. Interesting town, not nearly as touristy as the "hot spots" you've already visited but still a lot to see and enjoy.

I love the Cinque Terre but also other spots in the riviera. A few years ago, I spent a few nights in the lovely Italian tourist town of Camogli - in May, hardly an American in sight (not so down south in the Cinque Terre villages). You could spend a few nights in Camogli or nearby Santa Margherita Ligure and also a few in the south in one of the Cinque Terre towns.

Some would add Genoa as well, but people are very mixed on it. Some find it charming and untouristy; some find it sprawling and ugly. Actually, I would agree with both assessments. It wouldn't hurt to spend a night or two there if you have the time. I liked parts of the town but found the rest very forgettable.

Thank you will definitely look into your recommendations

I like Andrew’s suggestion for Turin (Torino) plus a bit of the Italian Riviera. Lots of nice towns to choose from north of the Cinque Terre: Camogli, Rapallo, Santa Margherita, Bonassola, etc. If you have time (I’d say the two locations — Turin plus Liguria — require at least a week) and interest you could add Lake Como or perhaps Alba, a great wine and food town in Piemonte and close to Turin.

Or you could spend two weeks or more, if you have it, in Sicily. I would not try to see Sicily with less than 10 days and longer is better.

Starting in Milan (only because that's where the airport is): Lake Como, Verona, Bologna (great for day trips), Assisi and Orvieto, fly out of Rome, so probably spend your last night there. That's a lot, so pick and choose.

Sicily is great if you have at least 2 weeks and will rent a car for part of the time, maybe uncomfortably hot in July

Love Sicily, but I was there in June 2015. Too hot, and I'm a fairly heat-tolerant southerner. Places at altitude in the Dolomites are usually pleasant in the summer.

Because of the heat, I would only visit in September. My last 2 trips were wonderful because the weather was very comfortable.

Two years ago, I spent 10 days visiting Sardinia and Corsica in the latter half of the month when most of the tourists disappeared and hotel rates dropped. Both islands have spectacular scenery and some interesting sites to visit. And remember the residents are Sardinians and Corsicans first, then Italians and French. A car would be an absolute necessity to take advantage of the islands.

Last year I visited northwest Italy. I, too, highly recommend Turin- great city, wonderful sites, excellent food. Then spent some time in the Piedmont visiting the wine towns - Barbaresco, Barolo, Asti, Alba also drove north through Val d’Aosta to Courmayeur and took the Skyway Monte Bianco.