Surprise Trip to Italy - struggling with an itinerary

What kinds of things does your husband find interesting/what does he like to do? Is he the type of person who would expect Rome? Are you open to renting a car? (quite a thing to spring on someone, so I suggest train accessible). If ther was ever a case for tailoring to interests, this is it--so tell us more.

Sorry - I should have included this! No car rental is preferred. Slowly trying to figure out the train system.
Also should have added that I am considering adding a stop in Assisi for a night.

He enjoys vacations where you can modify as you see fit, aka, doesn't like a schedule! So I am trying to see a lot (as I don't know we will come back) without it feeling like we are always on the go.

He also is not a big fan of crowds, but does enjoy History, education, architecture. We like good food, good wine.

Please let me know if you need anything else. Thank you!

This is a tough one. I would consider Venice, Florence or Rome. Since you are flying into/out of Bologna, you might give preference to Venice and Florence since they are closer. You could actually do a day trip from Bologna to Florence or Venice but I would spend at least one night. There is plenty of architecture and history in the Veneto region.

I think it is the "we may never come back" thinking that is doing you in. I would pore over a guide to Emilia Romagna and enjoy where you will be. I like to make the most of my time, so with four days and public transport only, I would stick close to Bologna. It looks to be several hours on train to Assisi, and though I don't know the E-R area well, I see multiple of places of interest at a stone's throw. Would he have any interest in a Ferrari tour for example? Food in the region is highly regarded--even by Italian standards! Parma ham, cheese tours, balsamic, etc. etc. I always thought Ravenna looked pleasant.
http://www.emiliaromagnaturismo.it/en
http://www.italia.it/en/discover-italy/emilia-romagna.html

Curious as to why its so important its a surprise??
Are you traveloge watchers? or do you travel much? Our family seems to have a lot of if you had one place to go where would you....
Or maybe mention someone at work (who he doesnt know) is going to italy and see if you could get something.
That said, any of my Catholic family would consider Rome/Vatican the most see. But it does not lend itself to spontanatity.
I also found Venice magical and unique.

You could have Padua (Padova) as a base (1 to 1,5 hrs from Bologna, depending on the type of train). It's a nice destination in its own sake. As a historical university city, it's lively without the tourist crowds of Florence and Rome. Vicenza and Verona are easily reached with frequent trains and Venice is also around the corner (30 mins).

Can you clarify your trip details?

1. You mentioned 4 days in Italy, but then you say that you will be in Modena for two days. So will you be there a total of six days?

2. Do the 4 days include your arrival and departure days?

We arrive in Bologna on a Saturday and fly out of Bologna the following Sat. So that really leaves Sun, Mon, Tues, and Wed. for travel before Modena (if all goes according to plan below).

The time in between is dependent on the restaurant reservations and those don't open up until April. We are hoping for a Thursday evening reservation in Modena.

Part of the trip is a gift so I do need to respect the wishes of it being a surprise.

I have tried the "What if we go to Italy...." and he wasn't that cooperative!!

You're being too kind about your husband. Be honest--he doesn't like crowds in the least, which puts him in my realm. And I totally understand, which is why we have traveled to Italy once in October, and twice in February/March, never in high season. And even then, there were times that the hordes had me growling.

So you must adapt if traveling in July, especially this year when not only the currency is in your favor but more will go to Italy that aren't going to northern Europe because of their problems. Tourism this summer in Italy is going to be of massive proportions.

Although I haven't been to Bologna, it seems like a great base for your purposes (and his). I know it's a 'semester abroad' destination, but in July? Do your due diligence in securing a hotel (with air conditioning!) near the Bologna train station, but on a quiet street. Maybe others can chime in on this.

And then take your daytrips. Bologna is quite a nice train hub--less than an hour to Florence or to Verona/Lake Garda, 90 minutes to Venice. All those places no doubt will be overrun, and probably hot as well, but as long as he has a quiet air-conditioned room back in Bologna to look forward to, you might get him to tolerate it better. Of course, get advance tickets wherever you can for attractions.

Rome is doable for a couple days--only 2 hours by train--but it might not be worth it to see the attractions in the heat and crowds, and might be 'flying too close to the sun', no pun intended...

Enjoy your planning!

You could see something in Roma as a daytrip from Bologna. Ferrara, Ravenna and Venezia are other possibilities.

I'm curious, if you mentioned going to Italy and your husband wasn't particularly enthusiastic, will he enjoy a whirlwind four days, or prefer a single base (Bologna) with a couple of daytrips?

Hotel in Bologna: Metropolitan.

If it is a surprise, when are you going to tell him? How long will you give him to pack?
Are you sure his passport is valid?
Or will you bundle him into a car and take him blindfolded to the airport? :-)

Bologna and Modena are in northern Italy, which to me suggests scratch Rome, and stay in the north. One week is max 2 places.
If you want to avoid crowds, I suggest the Italian lakes.
Venice is an obvious choice, and if you have never seen it before will blow your socks off, but will be crowded in July.
Bologna itself is nice, and also Padova is smaller and likely to be less crowded. Or Verona with its Roman amphitheatre.

Four days in Italy? That's a tough one...but given your situation, I would take a train into Venice for a 24 hour blitz (train in Monday afternoon and back to Bologna on Tuesday afternoon.) Venice is a place unto itself, iconic and magical in so many ways. Take a gondola ride at sunset and plan to get up at dawn to visit Piazza San Marcos and to go to the top of the Campanile when they first open. Wander the city, check out of your hotel, and hop back on the train just as the mid-day hordes are in full force! Buon viaggio!

To maximize your options, I'd suggest staying in Florence for the first 4 days, then going to Modena. There's plenty to do and see in Florence, but you can also get to Rome, Siena, Pisa and Lucca in 1.5 hours or less. It's also about about a half hour from Florence to Bologna and 1.5 hours from Florence to Modena. If your husband likes ancient history more than art and architecture, then maybe spend the pre-Modena time in Rome (but you'll have fewer options).

I agree with the posters above who suggested to stay put and enjoy your visit. You won't be able to see many different places in 4 days anyway, so don't try, read some guidebooks, pick one place you think you'll both like, and enjoy the h**l out of it. On a lake would be great. As much as Emilia-Romagna is a great place, it's also in a valley and stiflingly hot and muggy in the summer. My first Italian teacher said about 60% of her reason for emigrating was to get out of that steamy bowl. Scenery with some history is my recommendation. Lake Maggiore, Como or Orta.

What about places that aren't as high-profile. First, Bologna doesn't get as many tourists as the neighboring cities and it's a major train hub, so it's easy to just hang out there and take day trips to other lesser towns like Ferrara. Ravenna is a great day trip - check out the mosaics.

Consider visiting Assisi and Orvieto for overnights. Both get lots of tourists during the day, but are relatively quiet in the early morning and in the evenings. You could even day-trip to Rome, while all the tourists are in Orvieto on a day trip from Rome. Both are on hills with lovely scenic views.

Wherever you go in Italy, you're surrounded by history and art . . . and good food and wine.

Just a thought -- many people find that looking forward to a trip is half the fun. But if your husband loves surprises, keeping it secret makes sense. Have fun!

Hi Italy Surprise
I would go to Venice overnight. It will be less crowded after the day trippers leave. It is beautiful and memorable and very unique. You will get history, scenery, wonderful food.

Thank you all so much for the input. The goal is not tell my husband until we get to the airport. Yes I have our passports all ready.

My next step will be to figure out the train system. Do you recommend booking those prior to leaving? Or can those be purchased when we arrive?

this site was helpful to me while I was traveling in Italy by train. I live in the midwest and there is no passenger train travel here so the whole train travel experience was new. Give this site a peek! http://www.seat61.com/Italy-trains.htm

Italy Surprise, re the trains. Yes, start by reading: http://www.seat61.com/Italy-trains.htm
"Do you recommend booking those prior to leaving?" - long distance and high speed trains give big discounts if booked in advance on the internet from the train company, local trains ("Regionale") do not so buy those on the day at the station. But, if you are staying near Bologna it may not be necessary to buy any in advance. Read the above-mentioned webpage for details.

I hope he enjoys his surprise. Isn't there some law about transporting a person across an international border without their knowledge? It happened to my wife once on the Belgian/French border when she was (allegedly) navigating, and I was driving - "We're in France", "Oh no we're not we're in Belgium", "Oh yes we are, I've just seen the sign".