Yea cancer free and going to Italy just because :) Leaving in a week, help with ideas please

Love to read this--congratulations!
Maybe share some of the places you have been before, and how you wish to travel car/train)? Or share what types of activities you might be up for. Maybe something like a bike tour? (I have met people on Vermont Bike tours on several of my travels.)
Here is a random little thing I was reading about the other day. I have stayed at this agriturismo, and I see they offer pottery intensive courses. Unfortunately, they are not serving their amazing seafood meals right now (the reference to Italian bureaucracy on the website is referring to the meals, not the accommodations--but whatever the infraction, I'd go over the sea to eat there now if I could). https://www.baciarino.com/
Here is another food focused tour operator I have bookmarked, in Lecce. Currently sold out but may spark some ideas (or you could contact them for info or waiting list). https://www.espressinotravel.com/our-tours
These classes and workshops are in Tuscany in lovely little San Miniato: https://www.enotecamarilu.com/classes
I'd love to go back there and rent bikes for the Via Francigena and learn about truffles.

You are so nice to reply!!! I will check it out. I am ending my trip in Florence as it is my favorite place. I arrive in Milan and will travel by train or train bus? I love the sea too and was thinking maybe go there for a few days? Any unique place you have gone, I would appreciate it.

I was more focused on the dreamy inspiration part, but if you share how many days you have, we can crowdsource something quickly.
If it captures your imagination, San Miniato is reachable by train then bus or taxi (station is outside old town), so you could easily incorporate a stop there before Florence.
I have paired a trip to the coast with Milan, and the area I stayed, Camogli, is very popular but not overwhelmingly so--and shouldnt be in October.

Congratulations! I know the feeling. We went to Italy (Venice and Lago di Garda) to celebrate. Actually we just flew home last night from a return visit to Lago di Garda and a first visit to Lago di Maggiore. Both were lovely, although we had one rainy day at each place. October is a great time to visit, as the tourist season is slowing down at these places by the water (lake or ocean) so it is much less busy.

Could you say a bit more about your plans so far? Flights already booked, for what dates? There are some strikes planned that may affect train travel on certain October dates. Will you be traveling solo or with a partner? Activity level and interests?

You all are nice. I am mobile and I do like activities - ish.....I love cooking and connecting to people as I am traveling solo. I am flying in from a bit of time in Spain...a 2020 trip that was cancelled. So I arrive in Milan airport on the 22nd and have about 8 days. I am thinking of revisiting Lucca? Was thinking of Cinque Terre and someone said too much rain? Still can be beautiful. I think I crave small right now and I guess since we are in October then some people close? Thanks for the support, it means a lot. I already reached out to the cooking place in Tuscany and will check out the other recommendations.

Also if anyone has an amazing hotel/stay would love the links :)

Travel - what a wonderful gift to give yourself. Spain and Italy!!!! Since you mentioned that you are flying into Milano I am going to suggest a few places that are relatively close by and would be easy to get to by train. Consider Bergamo, a beautiful smaller town divided into the historic walled old town, Città Alta and the newer lower town. I believe the old town and its defenses are a designated World Heritage site. Lake Iseo is nearby. It is a smaller lake and could be an easy daytrip. Not too far is the city of Brescia. The historic center of the city is very compact and a very easy walk from the train station. There are several lovely piazzas, beautiful duomos, fountains, Roman ruins, a great museum next to the ruins and a castle, all in the immediate area. And this is a city with far fewer American tourists. I don't know if you have been to Verona but that is another town I like very much and have gone there three times. A visit to pretty Sirmione with its stately castle on the water, is a doable Lake Garda daytrip by bus from Verona. If you get to Verona, cross the Ponte Pietra and take the funicular up to Castel San Pietro for very scenic views of Verona down below.

I was going to back up the suggestion to go to Camogli, a bit over two hours from Milan by train --- we stayed there for 5 nights in early November one year and loved it and its food and brightly colored buildings and taking the ferry to an abbey and taking the trains to other Ligurian towns along the coast. However, it is a much longer train trip from Camogli to Florence (over 4 hours), so that seems not to fit into your 8 night trip.

So, I looked into another small beautiful place to go to from Milan with excellent food and a friendly, not touristed atmosphere, and a museum we loved so much we are tempted to go back there one day. It's called Pontremoli and it's in the Lunigiana area of Tuscany, with a cuisine we are very fond of. Here's a link to what the town is like --- we stayed there for 3 nights in late September/early October two years ago. And wished for 2 more nights. The apartment was superb but seems not to be available this month. It's under 3 hours from Pontremoli to Florence by train.

https://mytravelintuscany.com/pontremoli-hidden-gem-tuscany/

Thank you all and I will check into these. I have been to Verona and not for many years and would be interesting to revisit. I also haven't been to Pontremoli and will look into it. You all have been helpful....thank you.

Would either of you have a suggestions for housing in either Verona or Pontremoli or Brescia?

Would the last two be accessible by train? Love the Path to Lunch connection?

As I write this I am in our hotel room at the Grand Hotel Sitea (a fabulous hotel that is not crazy expensive) in Torino, an easy 1 hour train ride from Milan. The central core of the city is highly walkable and compact. There are few tourists, gorgeous walking areas including covered walkways, delicious food and lots of warm and friendly locals. It is our first visit here after previous trips to many other parts of Italy and it is a gem. A few days here might fit your requirements. We are staying a week and will run out of time for all that interests us.

Congratulations on your good news regarding your health. Celebrating in Italy sounds wonderful.

Good point with train times--you can divert to the coast or take a fast train to Florence, so not sure I'd do all of the above. With your time frame, I would first nail down if you wish to spend more time near Milan (lakes, etc.), at the coast, or in/near Florence. Go ahead and deduct time for places you know for certain you will spend time. For example, you mentioned Florence being a favorite, so I imagine at least three days, so that gives you five days to fill.
I use Booking.com for accommodations, useful especially when booking last-minute because you can search by what is actually available (don't waste time hunting at this point).

In Verona we stayed at the Hotel Torcolo. Good pricewise and right in the center of everything. Here is a link to their site. https://hoteltorcolo.it/en/

In Florence check out Hotel California. Beautiful facility, great breakfast, and location is such that one can walk to all the sites. https://california.hotelinfirenze.com/

Congratulations and have a wonderful trip. My experience… I’m a retired teacher and, there’s no denying, an inveterate kibitzer.
Walking through Padua one afternoon I sat down among a group of parents waiting for school to let out. My Italian is pretty bad but we managed to chat forever and I spent the rest of the afternoon learning about things that weren’t in the guidebooks. It was among my most pleasant days and memorable experiences and just a reminder that the best travel experiences may be found in the most mundane imaginable circumstances. I find people are the main attraction. Stay healthy and safe travels.

Many trains from Milan to Pontremoli, often with a change in Parma, some are under 3 hours.

Everybody's tastes are different, but in 23 years of traveling all over Italy, including to Naples, Puglia, Sicily, and other southern areas, I like the cuisine in Liguria more than anywhere else except maybe Puglia. So, to celebrate as you nare doing (and to explore food-wise), I'd head back to Genoa despite it's not being the most charming city in the world. There, I would take another food tour with Enrica Monzani: https://www.asmallkitcheningenoa.com/food-experiences/genoa-food-tour/. Maybe even re-take the tour of greenhouses where basil is grown because this was one of our favorite things we've done in Italy.

HOWEVER, the food in the Lunigiana where Pontremoli is, would be a close second and easier to fit your spontaneous trip and in a way, way more charming location. Here's what someone who lives in Lucca had to say about Pontremoli in her blog: https://www.twopartsitaly.com/blog/2023/1/23/pontremoli-castles-and-stele

This is where we stayed, but it is no longer available through either airbnb or booking.com.

https://www.facebook.com/sommoborgo/

Maybe it has to be booked directly with Davide now. Highly, highly recommended! Modern apartment in old, old building.

In Verona, I stayed at Hotel Giulietta e Romeo Verona Giulietta e Romeo Hotel.. Super location, friendly staff, elevator, great breakfast buffet. I was able to get this hotel with bank card points and I would stay here again. I also stayed at Best Western Hotel Armando in Verona, hotel was fine, ii is in a quieter area of town. Hotel Armando. For a more budget friendly option near Piazza Bra is Hotel Europa. In Verona we found this little Bar that had lunch specials that we liked a lot. Located near Piazza Erbe. Owner was very friendly and explained his specials to us. Very reasonably priced, quite small, mostly locals eating there. Not fancy at all but we enjoyed the food. Bar G andG G and G . Small place, no website but this is the location.

In Brescia we stayed at Albergo Orologio right off the main Piazza Paolo VI . Excellent location, right in the historic center of town, easy to walk to all the key sites. Albergo Orologio. Lots of nearby restaurants and bars/cafes.

In Florence, this is a very popular restaurant with locals. It is close to the Piazza di Santa Maria Novella. There is often a line of locals waiting to get in. Lunch specials are great. I have eaten here on several trips to Florence, having both lunch or dinner there. Ostaria dei Centopoveri
Cento Poveri

Both the restaurant in Brescia and that in Florence are more budget friendly options, not fancy or upscale dining.

Thank you EVERYONE.....wow I so feel supported in this journey. I will heartfully pay your kindness forward. Happy Traveling!!!

TORINO, with it's glowing old-world charm, friendliness and lovely arcades - CAMOGLI, standing alone by the waters edge in the evening, facing the sea, the October winds gently bringing a light rain, a tender kiss, a welcome caress - VERNAZZA, once, for the ambience at nighttime - PISA, staying at the inexpensive yet palatial Royal Victoria Hotel is as unique as unique can be. The hotel is itself a destination and all of Pisa the icing on the cake. The best review I ever wrote will honour that edifice and the stately rooms therein. Oh, to open its wooden shutters late at night, when all others sleep, and behold the autumn moon over the river Arno. That orbed maiden with white fire laden...

Oh I have never been to Torino and possible Venazza?

Congratulations !!!

I have an Italian friend with a concierge business that would be very helpful if recommending small towns and experiences, lodging restaurants etc.

I would love that recommendation if you don't mind sharing it?