We will be traveling for 7 weeks in Europe ending with a week of hiking in the Dolomites then flying out of Venice. Between a week in Siena and the beginning of the hiking tour we have 4 extra days to use up (I know)! Before Siena we'll be in Verenna (Lake Como), Cinque Terre, and Lucca, so don't want to repeat any of that. Any ideas about how to spend those 4 days will be greatly appreciated. FYI, we will have a car during that time. Thanks!
Posted by
North Carolina
2504 posts
How about basing yourselves in Bologna and taking day trips to Ravenna and Ferrara?
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11852 posts
What dates/month are you here?
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
As well as Ferrara and Ravenna you also have Parma and Modena from Bologna.
You could spend 3 nights in Bologna and a night in either Verona or Padova if you wished to break it up.
Posted by
Virginia, USA
792 posts
extra time in Italy? what a luxury
Posted by
Fort Lauderdale, FL
1246 posts
If you are into food, definitely Bologna, Parma, and Modena. Take a food tour of the Parmigiano Reggiano factory, the Parma ham factory, and a Balsamic Vinegar house.
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
There are dozens of little towns in the Veneto area on your way to the Dolomiti. Two friends and I just got into our car every morning and drove, stopping when we saw a place that looked interesting (almost everything did).
I also like the Bologna-Parma-Modena idea.
Posted by
OP
5 posts
Thanks, all. I am a foodie so Bologna with a food tour is really perfect. I think we may do 2 nights there followed by 2 nights in Verona, returning the car in Siena and taking the train the rest of the way (which makes my husband happy). We need to be in San Candido by the afternoon of the 9th and the train schedule out of Verona is easy.
I love the idea of just "winging it" but it's high season so I'm reserving now!
Posted by
Placentia, CA
1079 posts
Have you been to Florence?
Posted by
OP
5 posts
Yes, we've been to Florence, but we are staying in Siena for a week and may do a day trip.
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
I would not back track from Verona to Siena just to return the car - get rid of it before heading to Bologna.
Spend 3 nights in Bologna - one day with a cooking school and one day to Parma and Modena.
Make an early start for the short hop to Verona, giving you most of the day to explore.
Then on to the Dolomites the day after.