November in Italy - Best home bases for touring

Rome, Venice, and Florence make a lot of sense. Each has a lot to offer, especially if the weather is bad, and each offers a number of day trip possibilities as well. Sorrento is not bad, either, but more weather dependent.

We spent the month of December traveling in Italy before we moved there. We did a week in Venice, 5 nights in Umbria, 7 in Sorrento, and 9 in Rome. It was terrific. All by public transportation.

Thanks. We will definitely look into those!

Bologna is another good base for day trips to locations such as Ravenna, Ferrara, Modena and Parma. It also has a lot to offer on its own.

First question - two high school seniors, college seniors or senior adults and two younger adults? It sounds like you don't want to rent a car.

Venice is my favorite city after Paris. Unless there's something you really really want to see in Milan, consider flying into Venice or taking the train there when you land in Milan. Venice is the perfect place to relax and soak up the atmosphere while you're getting over jetlag and learning about Italy (the currency, the signs, the polite phrases, the gelato). It's quiet and there are no major sights to try to take in. Don't rush here. Spend at least 4 nights.

From there I'd head to Bologna for a week or more, which does not attract a lot of tourists, but lots of international students. It's a pretty town and a rail hub. You should be able to find a place that's between the train station and the central piazza and be about 10 minutes walk from either. There are lots of day trips. Besides the ones Frank has mentioned, Padua is quite close and even Verona is not such a long train journey. Ravenna is a bit far, and worth an overnight, but if you can't do that, a day trip is certainly worthwhile.

After that, I'd spend a week or more in Florence. There is so much Renaissance to enjoy (painting, sculpture, architecture) in the city, and leave time to shop in the markets and take a couple of walking tours. You can day trip by train or bus (depends on where) to Pisa, Lucca, Siena, San Giminagno and more.

The rest in Rome. So many wonders.

I like the idea of going in November. No hot weather. Long evenings so you can enjoy seeing the buildings and bridges lit up. The Grand Canal is magical at night (also in the pre-dawn mists - be sure to get up early at least once, then watch the sunrise over the lagoon from Piazza San Marco). Few crowds. Low season prices.

Two seniors are 70 & 77 years young and the two adults are 51 & 53 years old.
One of us has traveled to Italy in the past.

Bologna sounds great! Would love to see Padua & Venice.
Thanks for the insights!
Millie