Do you have suggestions for an itinerary considering the August weather and avoiding crowds as possible? This is my first trip to Italy. I originally intended to follow RS suggested 3 week itinerary using public transportation. I fly into Milan and out of Rome 3 weeks later. I plan to go to the major cities Venice and Florence, but not sure about the rest (Lakes? Cinque Terre? Sorrento?), though I am looking forward to time in Tuscany. I would like to see as much as possible. I've been reading lots of discouraging things about the Cinque Terre being overrun with tourists and not the backdoor experience from 10 years ago. I'm also debating whether to go all the way south to Sorrento - lodging seems very expensive there (and the potential heat/crowds - though I fared fine in Sevilla, Ronda, and Arles a few Augusts ago). I try to do a mix of hostels and small 1-2 star hotels with the occasional splurge in places where the budget options are more limited. My most favorite parts on previous European trips have been the small, quieter spots (I took a 2 hour bus ride outside Grenada to a small mountain town Capileira).
Trail walks - I am also wondering if you have suggestions for walking routes or hikes within your suggested itinerary? I'm doing the Camino Ingles on my own before arriving in Italy and like the idea of slow travel and moderate level walking from lodging to lodging for a day or two here or there. The Via degli Dei into Florence sounded like an interesting possibility: https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2020/jul/17/10-of-the-best-long-distance-walks-trails-in-italy.
Thank you!