Third Trip to Italy and need some advice

Tom,

Does your 10 or 11 days include your two flight days?

With that time frame you could (for example).....

• Fly inbound Rome (3 nights?)
• Assisi, Umbria (2 night?)
• Siena, Tuscany (2 nights?)
• Verona (1 night?)
• Lake Garda (2 nights)
• Fly outbound Milan (plan for 1 night in Milan if you have an early flight)

Of course, there are lots of ways this could be structured and this is only one suggestion. As you plan on driving, don't forget the usual "caveats" of the compulsory I.D.P. and be sure to avoid the dreaded ZTL areas.

Good luck with your planning!

You might want to add Ravenna. Amazing Byzantine mosaics, and something very different from other places you've been. You could visit the major sites in a day, although I had two days and would've liked to have had a third. If you go, try to include Classe; it's a few minutes outside of town and the church is spectacular.

Since Assisi is in Umbria, you could add Gubbio or Spello, both nearby. I agree with Sherry that Ravenna is worth a stop, it has several important sites if you are interested in mosaics. On your way out of Rome toward Tuscany/Umbria you might enjoy Orvieto. Each of these places is different from each other, and from where you've already been.

I would seriously consider Orvieto in Umbria. Their cathedral is absolutely wonderful (one of my favorites in all of Italy), the city was a joy to stroll around (especially the ramparts and the stunning views they afford over the valley surrounding the city) and I found the locals to be friendly. It's very convenient to access as it's on the major train route between Roma and Milano. I personally enjoy Umbria over Tuscany and do not think Umbria gets the due it deserves.

I agree with the previous poster regarding Orvieto. You could add a day onto Rome and visit Orvieto as a day trip from Rome but it's a fantastic town in my opinion and there are quite a few interesting things to do there. I suggest taking the underground tour (approx. 1 hour) and/or you can climb down into St. Patrick's Well or climb up to the top of the Torre del Moro for beautiful views over the town. Also, be sure to view the façade of the duomo when it's sun-lit; it's breathtaking. Have a great trip.

Great suggestions so far and I am going to start researching tomorrow, when I am also booking our flights. To be more specific we are flying into room on May 8 non stop and departing Milan on May 20. I loved Rome on a previous trip so want to go back there for a few days. We won't rent a car until we leave Rome. I don't mind driving in Italy, I have driven on the Almalfi coast and in the Belagio area so the roads don't intimidate me after I guess use to them in a day. So, we rent the car when we leave Rome. I do have in International Drivers license and have in fact been pulled over by the police in Italy. Not sure why but no ticket and they told me I could have got a ticket because you are required to carry original registrations in the car and rental companies only leave copies. Anyway I am going to research the info you posted. Thanks so much you guys always help so much.

I'll just list some places north of Tuscany that I've enjoyed, that are not on your "already seen" list. Look into them to see if they interest you, and/or if they will fit with your itinerary.

Ferrara
Cremona
Ravenna
Padova
Parma

In addition to their various charms and attractions, none of them (except Ravenna's mosaics) are heavily visited, which makes for a nice break from more "touristy" places.

I also loved Lucca. Since Assisi is in Umbria rather than Tuscany, while in that area you can also look into Spello and/or Spoleto (as well as lots of other places, of course).

I especially enjoyed Orvieto and the incredible Civita di Bagnoregio. Many people pick up rental cars in Orvieto, as the Hertz location is across the street from the train station.

It is about 90 minute drive from Orvieto to Siena.

A short distance from Siena is San Gimignano. The incredible Volterra is a 30 mile drive from Siena.

I suggest staying on an agriturismo outside of Siena or San Gimignano. Virtually every farm in the region has rooms and apartments for secondary income. You'll be approx. 45 minutes from Florence.

Tuscany is best visited by automobile, as it's quite a hassle to take buses and trains. You can also see so much more by auto.