We were just able to extend out stay in Italy for another two days, now departing on May 2, instead of April 30. We will be starting our trip on the 14th, with stays in this order: Rome, Sicily, Positano, Florence and then Venice. So instead of leaving Venice on the 29th, we now have two extra days to and just want to be back in Rome by afternoon of the 1st.
What would you suggest for the extra time? We're more people, scenery, and food oriented than museums.
Thanks!
Bologna or Ferrara would make great food stops with lots of walking to do, not heavy on museums.
Or, add a night to two of your existing destinations and take a daytrip. Padova is close to Venezia, Siena is close to Florence, and Orvieto is close to Rome.
Depending on how much time you had to devote to Rome on the front end, I might just spend a couple more days there before your departure. There is SO much to see in that one that I wouldn't think you'd have any problem finding things to do!
Also, that front-end Rome visit may be very full of must-sees with little time for wandering at will, taking in scenery from high points, culture from the streets, and food wherever it looks interesting. It may be nice to return to a city which you will have become a little familiar with, and just decompress before heading home?
I agree with Zoe and would suggest Siena or Orvieto.
Siena is larger, and sitting at Piazza Del Campo eating, drinking, and people watching is a very relaxing day, with taking time to walk among the back streets and admire the architecture.
Orvieto is smaller, homier, has a beautiful duomo, and cobblestone streets to explore. It also has the Etruscan caves which you can tour, if that interests you.
I love them both!
Just remember that May 1st is a big holiday, trains will be running the Sunday schedule, shops will be closed, and in most cities (don't know Rome) urban buses do not run.
I love Verona. From Venice it is as easy drive or train ride. It is an often over-looked city, but I don't know why. It is beautiful, old, full of history has a fabulous colosseum that it beautifully lit at night, and usually hosts concerts. It's easy to find a hotel with parking, and it's a wonderful place to walk endlessly.
May 1st is a big holiday, lots of closures.
Are you traveling this May, with all of your hotels booked? If you can still rearrange, consider having all of your time in Rome at the end of the trip, rather than splitting your visit with a few days there at each end. That will eliminate the need to travel anywhere on May 1.
You would then arrive in Rome April 14 and continue to your first destination. Perhaps start with Sicily, since you're already at the airport and can fly there that same day. Maybe add an extra day or two to Sicily.
If you can't or would prefer not to rearrange, Orvieto might be a safe place to go after Venice, as there should be trains into Rome on May 1. Check the Trenitalia schedule to confirm that before you commit.
