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Itinerary suggestions - last 4 days of Italy trip

Hey all! Been lurking for a long time and the advice has been great!

We did the best of Italy tour with RS in 2017 (Venice, Florence, Rome, stop @ an agriturismo in Orvieto) with some days pegged on for Verona, Padua, Naples, Capri, Pompeii and more Rome. 5 years later we're going back! This time we're hitting Venice again, Siena w/ a rental car for exploring Tuscany and Umbria, Salerno, Positano, and Rome!

We have are flying out of Milan but have 4 days to play with at the end. Any suggestions? We were thinking Cinque Terre, Lake Como, Dolomites, more Tuscany (although I don't think we'll want to rent a car again so maybe a well connected larger city?). Last time our favorite experience was Padua and Verona because we weren't surrounded by tourists. In our travels we've tended to really enjoy college towns (Padua, Oxford UK). Something like that for 3 days before a 1 night stay in Milan for the flight out seems fun!

Thank you all in advance!

Posted by
1416 posts

I also think Padua is an underrated gem. I would head for the Dolomites! Head for Bolzano by train then take bus 170 ( 1-hr) up to Castelrotto ( Kastelruth) and Ortisei. Particularly if you’re going in June, July or August. The beaches will be jammed with everyone trying to cool off. The Dolomites will be heavenly.

Posted by
2455 posts

Well, the oldest university in the world is in Bologna, founded in 1088. It is still a major university town, a city of wonderful architecture, and one of the great food cities in Italy. Also near various other wonderful smaller cities such as Parma, Modena and Ravenna, with its spectacular and ancient mosaics. I had plans to spend a week in and around Bologna in the spring of 2020, but alas, Covid happened.

Posted by
424 posts

Pavia is a smaller town not far from Milan. Lots to see there. Also Courmayeur is reachable from Milan if the Alps interest you. Jaw dropping alpine scenery, Monte Bianco Skyway is easily the equal of the Aiguille du Midi..,lots to do. Love the Dolomites nothing better. Brad

Posted by
15582 posts

Larry got to it before me. I very much enjoyed being in Bologna. It's a university town with no major sights, so it doesn't attract masses of tourists that other places do. It's also a rail hub which makes it easy to day trip to other enticing towns. Don't get me wrong, it has some interesting sights - the university tour was excellent - and it's colonnaded streets make it a great place to stroll in the heat or the rain.