Rome and then where to?

I really loved Siena and Vernazza (Cinque Terre). If I were to go back and spend more time anywhere, it would be in either of those places. Siena was beautiful and quaint, and the place where I had the best meal in Italy. I loved Vernazza for its small town-ness, the wonderful people I saw there and the peacefulness that I had not been able to find anywhere else in Italy. I could have easily stayed in Vernazza for two weeks and not gotten bored. It's a great place to lay low and enjoy the best of Italy.

I enjoyed Bologna a lot. It is a great city to simply walk around, explore, and shop. The food markets and restaurants are fantastic. Some excellent churches and interesting museums. A good central location to hop the train for day trips to Parma, Ravenna, and Modena. Good nightlife thanks to the large student population. Not especially touristy, a good place to go if you've ever thought "I'd like to experience Italy without all these tourists around."

Tuscany hill towns without a doubt. Train to Siena and rent a car.

We found the east coast a nice change. The water of the Adriatic was beautiful. Off season it's not crowded. Also, you can visit San Marino and lovely Italian hilltowns off the beaten track.

Jill,

You HAVE to add Assisi! Easy, relaxing 2-hour train ride from Roma. I have found it one of the most wonderful places I've ever been.

I loved Lake Como - just stunning. Or as one other post suggests Siena and get a car. I don't think you can go wrong either way.

Jill: From Rome you can travel to Naples/Capri/Pompeii and spend several days in those areas.Vieste on the Adriatic is an interesting town on the "spur" of the boot and has some great beaches & restaurants.

The coast south of Amalfi is stunning but you will not find much else of interest there except for Paestum, Greek temples south of Salerno.

David
San FRancisco