Place to visit for a night between Rome and Alassio

Lucca is 3h 15m from Alassio and 3h 45m from Leonardo da Vinci International Airport.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/planning-my-italy-itinerary

Lucca seems the best choice, but you won't be allowed to drive inside the ZTL area without a temporary permit. It's easier to find an hotel out of the walls.

PS Why Alassio? Do u have family there? And why driving all the way to Rome if you want to make only one stop? You could Drive from Alassio To Florence, drop the car and take an high speed train to Rome or FCO. Or drop the car and fly home from Florence.

Read about Alassio and it sounded very nice as an alternative to other more touristy spots such as Portofino (have already been to Amalfi coast). Are you familiar with Alassio? Any thoughts on it? Flew to Rome as it was the only non stop from Boston, however, Delta ended up changing it recently so now it’s not non stop anymore unfortunately.

Do you want to spend time in Rome otherwise, or are you going just to catch your flight? If the latter, could you change your flight to somewhere closer by? I noticed that AA has freed up their change policy - maybe Delta has too. Nice looks like a possibility.

Any thoughts on it?

Alassio is nice, but it's nothing special.

Liguria is crowded and cramped between the sea and the mountains, I don't like the neverending line of parked cars in Summer and the privatized beaches. And the average age of Italians spending their summer holidays in Liguria is depressing: kids, grannies and teens who didn't pass their finals and were not allowed to go to Spain with their friends. Moreover together with the week-end come the crowds of desperate workers from Milan and Turin in search of some refreshment. All of them driving and looking for a parking spot close to the few free beaches left.

Being there, done that: thank God I grew up and won my Summer Independence War.

It's a matter of tastes, speaking more objectively I am surprised because:

• you picked one of the farthest villages in Liguria coming from southern Italy. Alassio is almost closer to Nice than Genoa. (Note that both cities have an airport and a train station).
• you are getting there by car but you don't seem interested in roaming around, so why driving up to Alassio?
• driving north from Rome you'll pass by dozens of seaside villages and towns in Lazio and Tuscany. I doubt there is a single Italian who would pick Alassio over the Elba Island or the Maremma.

Just changed flight to Milan! After reading these suggestions realized it did not make sense to drive from Rome so I am happy Delta was able to make the change! Now need suggestions for a placed to stay in Milan!(-:

jbrady682

I wonder if you could start a new thread and post your trip as it is now planned, since you have made changes?

You mention not having a non-stop flight to Rome now and it is my understanding that the only US passengers who will not be required to quarantine are those arriving on special "COVID" non-stop flights and that have met the testing requirements.

Are you still stopping in Tuscany, will you need/use the car in Alassio?
Are you familiar with driving in Italy and have you obtained your IDP- International Driving Pemit?
Will you spend 2 nights in Milan now before departure and are you aware of testing requirements to re-enter the US?

Hotel Antica Locanda Leonardo on Corso Magenta. At the end of the street is a fabulous cafe - Biffi - with the best sandwiches and pastries - and cappuccinos!

I share Dario's doubts on Alassio... it is fine, but the town itself and the western part of Liguria in general is significantly less spectacular than the eastern part, and is definitely well past its heyday: there are fewer tourists for a reason!
I have enjoyed visits to Sanremo and other places along that coast, but I do not think it is worth crossing the ocean for... much better to put up with the relative crowds around Camogli or Portofino, for instance!

Ditto the recommendation for Antica Locando Leonardo in Milan. Lovely hotel!