My family of four will be in Italy in late August. We are teachers so have to plan our vacation based on our school schedules; we know it is not an ideal time! This is our second trip to Italy, we have two easy teenagers. We are flying in ant out of Venice, it was the cheapest. 4 nights in Venice, 4 in Florence (hoping for some day trips from both cities.) We have three more nights. Last trip we spent our final nights in Riomaggiore, which we loved. We are considering returning to Cinque Terre, possibly staying in another village. However I will be a bit limited with my mobility and am concerned about the hills and stairs. (Recovering from hip surgery but will be 11 weeks out.) We loved the sea views and the ambience of the village and didn't find it too crowded in mid-July.
We have also considered staying at Lake Garda, with a day trip to Verona, or vice versa.
This will be the end of our trip so we don't need/want to do a lot of sightseeing. We really want to have some great views, good restaurants and the time to soak in the Italian ambiance. I am also studying Italian and it would be fun to use some of my language skills.
Is there a hidden gem in Northern Italy? Do you recommend one the places I have mentioned? Is there another up and coming area like Cinque Terre?
Thank you for your assistance??
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16238 posts
Late August is still hot and crowded everywhere. You've been to the Cinque Terre already, and frankly I think there are better places to be. Lake Garda and/or Dolomites mountains is an excellent idea. Four nights in Venice might allow you to decrease by one (3 in Venice is good) and give yourself an extra for the lake/mountains. If you can rent a car it will add mobility and flexibility for that area. I would do:
VCE arrive
Venice: 3 nights (visit Venice and Murano/Burano islands)
train to Florence (2 hrs)
Florence: 4 nights (Florence with trips to Siena one day and possibly Pisa+Lucca, another day)
Rent car in Florence, head back north.
Lake Garda or Dolomites: 3 or 4 nights (not clear how many you have left)
Return car at VCE airport before flying out. If your flight is early, you might need to spend the last night nearby.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16238 posts
.....But, it it were my trip, I'd probably go to the farthest place first.
Arrive VCE
Immediately go to Florence (via train from Venezia Mestre station) and spend 3/4 nights
Rent car
Drive to Garda or Dolomites (3 nights?)
Drive to Venice. Return car in Venice upon arrival.
Spend last 3 nights in Venice.
Return flight from VCE
Posted by
Wyckoff, NJ, USA
8083 posts
I would emphasize the "crowded and hot" issue. You mentioned speaking Italian, but to stay cool, I would consider a ferry from Venice to Croatia, or maybe Trieste (never been there) and a daytrip to Koper. Rovinj and Pula are cool and non-trendy water resorts. I would expect the Italian lakes to be very expensive in August, and already booked-up. Croatia is famous for clean swimming waters, BTW.
Posted by
OP
17 posts
Thanks for the feedback. We are visiting relatives, so four nights in Venice is a must! We do not want to rent a car nor travel anywhere besides Italy. Again, another charming town like one of the Cinque Terre? We know about the heat and the crowds, a hot crowded Italy is better than no Italy!!
Posted by
Washington DC
28479 posts
Weather-wise, the Dolomites would be a good option for mid-summer; the temperature should be pleasant at altitude. However, I'm not sure walks in the mountains are ideal for someone who's had hip surgery fairly recently. There are opportunities for relatively flat walks, but loose rock is always a possibility. If that wouldn't be a concern, I'd suggest investigating the Dolomites. Although it's not coastal, there are places with the "cute small town" vibe that's part of the Cinque Terre's appeal.
The lakes would also be a good area for the laid-back end of your vacation. Lake boats are very relaxing.
Posted by
Wyckoff, NJ, USA
8083 posts
I didn't bother to mention how much we like Reggio Emilia (... a location of interest to scholars of teaching methods ... ) but it's not a small town, it's a small city. (I'm an urban native of the US.) It's well located for daytrips. But I fear they might even omit the weekly market at the end of August. And the town art gallery might be closed. Did you mean to specify genuinely rural or (gasp) touristy? (I'm referring to Cinque Terre when I use that "t" word.)
Posted by
San Antonio TX, United States
2393 posts
This was posted by Roberto in another thread - while some are very south there are a few that might work for you
Posted by Roberto
San Francisco / Oakland / San Jose (California, USA)
05/26/16 02:10 PM
6866 posts
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I last visited the Cinque Terre a few years ago (to take a relative from the US) and decided it wasn't worth it anymore (and it was early May, so not even highest season). I think it's time for those of you who have had the opportunity to see them already in the past, to try and explore other parts of the Italian coast that aren't as accessible to the Cruisaders.
In addition to the over-visited RS' favorites of Cinque Terre and Amalfi Coast/Capri, I suggest you all try the following, if you haven't already:
Elba & the Tuscan Archipelago (Tuscany)
Mt. Argentario Peninsula (Tuscany)
Ponziane Islands (Latium)
Cilento (Campania)
Maratea (Basilicata)
Tropea (Calabria)
All coasts of Sicily and surrounding smaller isles
All coasts of Sardinia and surrounding smaller isles
Salento (Apulia)
Gargano Peninsula (Apulia)
Tremiti Islands (Apulia)
Mt Conero Coast (Marche)
The above list is not even exhaustive of all of Italy has to offer, but all of them will provide rewarding spectacular stretches of Mediterranean coast.