Touring Veneto and Umbria

We just got back from the Veneto region. Loved Verona and Padua (the Palazzo della Ragione is not to be missed) as well as Sirmione on Lake Garda. In previous trips we've enjoyed Assisi, Spoleto, and Todi. Didn't much care for Perugia, but that may be due to the horrendous driving experience we had there. I'd love to have stayed longer in Todi; we were there only briefly. Spello was nice but I found a visit of a few hours and lunch was enough. They are all close together.

You might want to check out RS Italy tours to see which one(s) cover that region and then see where they go/stay to get some ideas. Always works for us. Going to Italy in Sept. 2012. Happy travels.

My wife and I biked through Umbria and found it wonderful and not quite as touristy as other areas of Italy.
We particulary liked the hill towns of Assisi, Todi, Montefalco, and Orvieto. Don't miss the Basilica in Assisi and Orvieto's Duomo.

Verona for sure. It's beautiful. Vicenza, Padova, Ferrara, Bossano del Grappa. Grotto di Frassasi in Umbria is pretty cool. I haven't been to Urbino but hear it's a good place to visit. Ravenna is'nt too far out of the way on A14 when you go to Umbria.

Verona and Orvietto were favorites for us. They are both offer a lot to see and do. Smaller towns are worth visits, our smaller town touring focused on Tuscany.

Karen, my wife and I did this region two years ago and discovered a hidden gem in Treviso (30 minutes North of Venice by train). This is a walled city with crystal clear water in its canals. we enjoyed it so much we are actively searching for a vacation home here. Check out:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treviso

Many, many thanks to all of you who've responded. You've been most informative and helpful. Nobody mentioned Bolognais it worth a stop? Also wondering who's been to San Marino? Would love to hear from anyone who's been to either place. Has anyone had a good experience in Perugia?

You have many interesting options in Umbria and nearby Marche (don't need to go to Orvieto to find a cool place). Consider the following list (read and choose some): - Bologna (incredible food, very nice to explore) - Urbino (medieval walled city (most walls still standing) with an university vibe, avoid on weekends of June - too crowded - San Marino (well worth a visit, if you only manage to skip the main "souvenir boulevard" and head straight to the 3 Towers and - very important - take time to venture on back roads) - Gubbio (a quaint, hilly town with none of the kitsch of Assisi, nor the crowds of Peruggia)

given your time frame, I would opt for saving Umbria for another trip. There are quite a few things to see and do in the Veneto and if you wished you could stop in Bologna in Emilia-Romagna on your way to Florence. Remember the Veneto is a fairly large and rather diverse area. It goes from the Venice area north to the Dolomites and west to Lake Garda.

My wife and I both had a wonderful time in Perugia. We stayed there for 5 nights and used it as a base for exploring the region. We did NOT have a car, but instead used either the train or buses to go to a few towns. The city of Perugia itself we found to be very nice, and wandered around there quite a bit. I'd go back and stay there in a second.

I'll second Guibbio - loved that town. Much better than Spello, IMO.

I'm not big on Bologna, I just find it ok. I like San Marino. Try to go on a clear day if possible. The views of Italy are one of the nice things about it.

If you are driving to Umbria and haven't been to Ravenna yet, I suggest making it a stop on the way. As for Umbria, loved Todi, Spello, Assisi (which was a base for our little group), and Gubbio. Padova has the beautiful frescoes by Giotto in the Scrovegni Chapel, I recommend it highly. Padova also has a good hotel, M14, near the gardens on the outskirts of town - with parking. They will loan you bikes if you need them, and it's very convenient to the major bus and tram stops. In Assisi, you can park for free just outside the Rocca Maggiore and then take the stairs down into the town center. Another favorite for me is Trevi, which has fabulous olive oil products and views of the entire valley. Spello is uncovering mosaic pavements in the main parking area just outside the town - very interesting to watch - and has a "Spello Infiorito" festival in the summer when everyone decorates their homes with flowers. It's only 7km from Assisi, worth a stop on the way to other towns.

Verona is one of my favorite towns in Italy. Well worth 2 days of sightseeing, and it is a charming place in the evenings as well. And I second Zoe's suggestion to visit Ravenna, which has the most beautiful Byzantine mosaics (5th-6th century).