Hello everyone, I will begin with this is my first time on this site. My wife and I are planning a trip to Italy next year as a 50 wedding anniversary and need help on where to go. We have been to Italy a few times on various tours but this time we want to stay in one area and experience interaction with the people there. House rental walking distance to the center, we cannot walk up
Hills. A plaza where locals socialize. Any area is fine we love Italybut don’t want to drive too far from an international airport. I apologize if this is the wrong place to post to ask for any suggestions
Posted by
New England
12041 posts
Take a look at Bevagna which is a medieval town.
It is flat as well and thus may be the perfect place for you to stay. We enjoyed our visit there.
Posted by
Bend, Oregon
2834 posts
Look at Stresa. 45 minutes from Milan. Not completely flat, but the main area is pretty flat. Lots of cute towns nearby, and beautiful islands to visit.
Posted by
Idaho, USA
8653 posts
Congratulations on your upcoming 50th anniversary! I hope your time together is very special!
Here’s just a few to get started…
From Malpensa
Stresa - yes, it’s beautiful. You can reserve the Alibus to take you directly from the Malpensa (Milan) airport to Stresa and get off in front of the hotels.
Cremona is an hour by train from Milano Centrale. It’s very flat and has a gorgeous duomo with beautiful frescoes. The piazza at the duomo is what I think you’re picturing. Also, it’s the city of Stradavari, in case you like violins - a nice museum & concerts in it during the weekend.
Parma isn’t much farther, and it’s very flat. The cathedral has one of my favorite interiors, and this is an easy city to enjoy.
From Venice
Padova is fairly flat and has nice piazzas. There’s a lot to do here.
Verona is beautiful and easy for tourists. Piazza Bra & Piazza Erbe are both good evening spots to enjoy. Verona has the Roman Arena that’s still used for events. I’m attending a concert there when I’m back again in a few months. It’s busier than Padova or Ferrara.
Ferrara would feel smaller than the previous two, and it also has a castle in the city center. A perk of Ferrara, besides the amazing food - Yum!…is that it’s a direct train over to Ravenna. Ravenna is very flat and has several churches with stunning mosaics.
From Rome
From Rome, the only smaller cities I can think of either are too hilly, or a little too remote for what you’re wanting. Caserta is a beautiful place to see because of the Caserta Reggia & expansive gardens, but it’s more like a 2-night stop.
One comment- do you speak Italian? If not, the interactions you’re wanting will be limited. In the meantime, this year is a great opportunity to learn some Italian.
Posted by
Atlanta, GA, USA
879 posts
I was gonna vote stresa too!
But Jean has some amazing ideas!