Hi all! We visited Italy back in 2019 and hit a lot of the big spots: Rome, Florence, Venice, CT, Lake Como, Milan… we decided to make a second trip this October. Last time we moved around quite a bit and packed in all the sights, so we’re kind of looking to slow down and enjoy Italian life for the 15 or so days we’ll be there. This time we’re flying into Rome and haven’t booked a return yet. Does anyone have any recommendations how to make the most of our second visit and any spots we should see this time around? Feeling a bit lost on my research thus far.
Posted by
4855 posts
Have any regions stood out to you in research so far? Do you want to dive into art, go hiking, or anything else that might spark a suggestion?
How do you feel about driving? Tuscany with a car would be wonderful in October. I like to go for the low-hanging fruit right off, and maximizing time is always my main goal on any trip. Any of the adjacent regions would be great--even Lazio, which gets overlooked but it's right there waiting for you.
If you were interested in one of the islands, you could fly to Sicily or Sardinia.
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
11764 posts
At the risk of being Mr Obvious, Naples, Sorrento, ( Pompeii) Amalfi Coast area, (Paestum ) would be enjoyable over a 2 week span.
You could fly out of Naples or do r/t Rome and spend a few days there at the end to see some things you had to omit the 1st time.
Enjoy the trip, where ever it takes you.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
I have sort of considered renting a car to explore more of the Tuscany region, but I have never rented abroad and have honestly avoided it. Maybe it is something to consider more closely… as far as activities, we’re big on history and we do like hiking.
Posted by
Idaho, USA
7697 posts
Hi Katie,
I've stayed in 39 cities in Italy. Yes, I love it! These links of a few past trip reports might give you some inspiration for which direction to head from Rome. Ignore the rate of how quickly I move - just look at the specific cities & activities. I would also check the weather forecasts for October in each region - just to see if something is eliminated there. Also, my favorite is to attend some local festivals, so Google "Italy Festival October" and see if anything draws you a certain direction. I've never rented a car in Italy; I just travel by train.
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/solo-trip-to-italy-2018