My husband and I want to feel like we are living in Italy rather than just passing through. We'd like an area with interesting things, but not too touristy. I am thinking about the Ravenna area, or perhaps Venice. We can't manage too much climbing so the hill towns are out. Any thoughts or suggestions would be welcome. Thanks. Rona from Phila.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
You might consider Lucca. It's as flat as a pancake and a decent hub for lots of places in Tuscany.
Posted by
Cesena, Italy
791 posts
Maybe consider Vicenza. Interesting town and close to Venice (much cheaper too), Padova, Ferrara,Bologna,Ravenna,Verona etc. Vicenza has a US Army base located there but it's not really touristy.
Posted by
austin, TX, USA
23 posts
We visited Lucca in 2008 as a day trip from Florence and found it charming. Lots to see and the pace was not hurried. I think that is a good suggestion. Also consider renting an apartment for your stay. It is a completely different experience from staying in a hotel. You can choose to cook or eat out, and really settle in and feel like you are "home". We have used VRBO for renting an apt in Rome in Spring 2010 and are now friends with the owner. Happy traveling!
Posted by
Columbia, MO, USA
249 posts
Having stayed a week at an agriturismo near Pienza and two days in Lucca, I'd opt for the former. Lucca, although charming, is IMO, touristy. Any town with a "General Lee" Store (from the Dukes of Hazzard) doesn't feel authentically Italian, although osome parts of the city feel less touristy. From Pienza, if you didn't want to stay on a farm, many day trips are available to you. It's flat, has a COOP-check it out. Need more info, please ask.
Posted by
OP
philadelphia, pa, usa
15 posts
thanks for these great responses. We are definitely considering an apartment and VRO is a helpful suggestion. Will write again as our plans gel.
Meanwhile, keep on traveling!
Posted by
Sacramento, California U.S.A.
10609 posts
I agree that an apartment is the way to go, especially for a stay that long. If you want to feel like you live somewhere you will not get that from having to eat all your meals out and being stuck in a small hotel room. We actually rented an apartment in Verona for only 2 nights! We enjoyed Verona very much and it could be a good hub for daytrips. While we also enjoyed Lucca very much, I think it is not quite as good as Verona would be for seeing other towns. I have rented apartments using vrbo.com and homeaway.com. In both cases you are renting from the owners. Don't be afraid to try to negotiate a better price.
Posted by
Henderson, NV
14 posts
look up google "agriturismo "... we found a wonderfil place near Sienna
called agriturismomarciano.it if you would like to look it up.
Posted by
Sacramento, California U.S.A.
10609 posts
If you are looking for a place in Tuscany I agree with Diana about Agriturismo Marciano. We stayed there in 9/10 for 4 nights and it was one of the highlights of our trip. They have optional dinners they serve some nights to their guests that are to die for. A car would be necessary (IMO), as it is outside of Siena and a bit far to walk. I did not suggest it in my previous post because they do not have kitchen facilities to use, and I think if you want to feel like you are "living" somewhere an apartment is nice. I am now remembering that they do actually have a little apartment there with a small kitchen (we did not stay in it), so it could suit your needs.