We have been to Italy many many times. Done Rome, hated the crowds but loved the sights. Love Florence, been 6 times, could always go back. Love Cortona, Pienza, Lucca, Orvieto, Verona, Positano and was ok with Venice, Montepulciano and Pisa.) While I would go back to any of these again (except maybe Venice which we've done many times, nor Pisa or Montepulciano). I am looking for new suggestions that might be off the beaten path as far as crowds go. We love food, fashion, shops, cafes, countryside, sights, etc. Just wanting a different experience. Would the Lakes region be a good choice? I know it will be off season, but how buttoned up will it be? Just trying to find something new to do with a week or so. To us, hotels make all the difference as well. Prefer train line, but not opposed to renting a car for some of the trip.
Posted by
Bainbridge Island, WA
356 posts
Look at the Umbria region - lots of history, pretty towns, beautiful scenery, great food. We love towns like Spello and Gubbio. Spend some time exploring those smaller places and I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. We are spending a week in Spello again in early November and will be enjoying a lack of crowds and cooler weather
Posted by
seattle
2253 posts
Perugia is a wonderful city. Also enjoyed Ascoli Picino.
Posted by
Atlanta, GA, USA
929 posts
Whenever anyone mentions November in Italy, I get really excited and hope that they are in Salerno for the Luci d'Artisti! I haven't been since it started, but I have always wanted to see the lights all over town! Salerno is always a great and more relaxed Campanian town compared to Napoli and you can visit Paestum, Napoli, and Caserta (for less "outdoorsy" locations in case of weather) from the well connected train station :)
Posted by
🏝️ Hobe Sound, FL⛱️
3399 posts
The wine towns of the Piedmont are fantastic at that time of year. Alba has its annual White Truffle Fair from early October. Barbaresco, Brunello, Asti are great places to visit for wine and food. I’d also visit Torino. It is a great city with a lot to see and do with some wonderful restaurants and the automobile museum.
Agriturismo Tre Stelle in Barbaresco is a terrific place to stay with some good local restaurants. My favorite restaurant in the area is Io e Luna in Guarene. In Torino I stayed at the very nice Hotel Concord which is in a good location to visit the sights. It’s a comfortable business hotel with large rooms and a great breakfast. A short walk away is the “don’t miss” Pastificio de Filippis.
Posted by
Ooltewah, Tennessee
194 posts
I will second Umbria. We explored the region last October. Beautiful countryside & towns. The weather in October was perfect. Cool evenings and warm days. Assisi & Spello were our favorite.
Posted by
6083 posts
hey JR, I would suggest combining your posts so folks get the whole picture--since you are planning on including Switzerland in this trip, I would definitely focus on the north. Turin would be a great idea!
Posted by
Paris
24 posts
I think your initial idea to go visit the Lakes is a great idea! I was in Como a few Septembers ago, there honestly were not very many tourists. Beautiful time to be in the region. I recently heard that Isola is relatively empty (even in August!) You can easy pair with Milan and Bergamo (an absolute must). Went to Bergamo the same time as Como. There weren't all that many tourists and we had an absolutely splendid time. I haven't visited it, but the surrounding countryside is supposed to be wonderful as well.
Best of luck !
I will reply on your France forum question too.
Posted by
new york
669 posts
ABRUZZO...No question.
Piemonte also great but there are plenty of tourists there....
We spent about two weeks in Abruzzo in the fall, a few years ago....wonderful scenery, food and wine, people....and almost no tourists, except for the two of us!!! Should have a car, though.