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Help Needed So where to now? I'm struggling for ideas

Tim W

100+ Posts
This is a bit lazy, and I won't mind if the post gets kicked off for lack of effort. I love Italy and have been multiple times over the last couple of decades. I have 12 days leave to take starting mid March, and I'm looking at a bunch of places I've not been. I am happy to spend the whole time in one place, or split between two. I've "done" Tuscany, Lazio, Emilia Romagna, Sicily, Puglia and Venice (in that I've spent some time in a cities and visited as day trips)

So far I am considering:
Trieste - possibly a little too cold for the time of year,
Genoa - Some opinions suggest it's a little "gritty" - but I love Naples so I'm not sure if that will put me off.
Sardinia - I know very little about it and not much I've read causes me to want to rush there (in the same way as I couldn't wait to go to Sicily).
Otherwise I would consider Umbria - I've only ever done day trips to Assisi, so never been to Perugia, Spello, Spoleto etc. and would consider any of them as a base.

I don't mind driving, but prefer public transport. I speak Italian (badly) so "non touristy" would not be too much of an issue.

The last time I asked for advice such as this, people suggested Turin and Bologna, both of which were amazing, and I'm torn between another larger city, and something like the smaller places that I feel are very livable (Siena, Lucca, Ferrara)

Any suggestions welcome.
 
I’ve stayed in Spoleto three times and love the town. Lots to see in the town, walking on the hill behind the town, train station. Not sure - but probably can take the train to Spello (pretty town, magnificent frescoes), Assisi and Perugia. And Arezzo (more frescoes).

Trieste and/or Genoa also sound good. I’d like to go to Trieste.
 
I don't know Italy well enough to comment but have always been intrigued by Sardinia - but then I do like islands...
 
This is a bit lazy, and I won't mind if the post gets kicked off for lack of effort. I love Italy and have been multiple times over the last couple of decades. I have 12 days leave to take starting mid March, and I'm looking at a bunch of places I've not been. I am happy to spend the whole time in one place, or split between two. I've "done" Tuscany, Lazio, Emilia Romagna, Sicily, Puglia and Venice (in that I've spent some time in a cities and visited as day trips)

So far I am considering:
Trieste - possibly a little too cold for the time of year,
Genoa - Some opinions suggest it's a little "gritty" - but I love Naples so I'm not sure if that will put me off.
Sardinia - I know very little about it and not much I've read causes me to want to rush there (in the same way as I couldn't wait to go to Sicily).
Otherwise I would consider Umbria - I've only ever done day trips to Assisi, so never been to Perugia, Spello, Spoleto etc. and would consider any of them as a base.

I don't mind driving, but prefer public transport. I speak Italian (badly) so "non touristy" would not be too much of an issue.

The last time I asked for advice such as this, people suggested Turin and Bologna, both of which were amazing, and I'm torn between another larger city, and something like the smaller places that I feel are very livable (Siena, Lucca, Ferrara)

Any suggestions welcome.
Genova waaaay less gritty than Napoli (and I'm one that has mentioned the old town to Harbour is a bit gritty). It's a good combo with Cinque Terre or Camogli, but both those destinations are better when the days a bit longer / sunnier.

Another that might combo with Genova is Cuneo, though that connection is more convenient by car than train. It's a quirky regional city, with good food, a little French influence, and not over-touristed. Easy to walk around and good markets (any market that has tractors for sale, feels like a proper market!)
 
I've been trying to put together a one week itinerary for Sardinia for a side trip this summer. My early impression is that the driving times to get around from site to site are not good and that there is no central type of attraction (nothing overwhelming in Cagliari or Olbia). It looks like a place to wander around in and to enjoy the little things, however, and an easy jump to Corsica. We spent a week+ in the Canary Islands this past summer with a very similar type of itinerary -- lots of scenery and outdoor things to do with not a lot of the traditional "castle, church, museum" type of day.

Some places of interest extracted from a trip report (apologies for not remembering which site I used to find the report):

Le Prigionette Park had gorgeous sea views
Grotto Nettuno
Phoenecian-Roman port called Tharros near the town of Cabras
Girara di Gesturi --some of the last remaining wild horses in all of Europe
u Gologone, a huge natural spring in the center of Sardinia.
Millenary Olive Trees
Lot's of sheep in Sardinia pecorino cheese abounds.
 
Whilst mid-March can still mean reduced winter schedules, there is also the possibility of a transfer by ferry, rather than plane. Very much a more pleasant experience (excepting any bad weather). So Sardinia-Corsica, or indeed tacking one of them onto Genova should be fine.
 
Another thought.

Do you have a favourite region in Italy? One where you feel at home / love the local culture? Then head away from the 'name' destinations there, and delve into its small towns, villages and especially aim to embed locally.

For us Piemonte is it, but Emilia Romagna runs it close. Only Forlì in E-R disappointed us with this 'off-piste' approach, and yet even then there was a superb 'white night', a chance stumbling across a rally (car) event, and also a really nice deli.
 
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Thanks for all the replies. Thinking has now sort of moved towards Genova + Sardinia in October. Not entirely sure yet, but heading towards doing 10 days in Perugia as a base and then daytrip to Gubbio, Spello, Todi, Spoleto etc.

Ian's approach of rxploring lesser known parts of favourite regions is excellent, but different because the only region of Italy that I felt "let down" on was Puglia even though I enjoyed that trip overall.
 
If you're not interested in the beach I'd be tempted to do the opposite for landscape reasons: go to Sardinia-Genova in March. Sardinia will be newly green with flowers on the coast starting to bloom while still parched and dry in October. Genova will already be warm and welcoming in March while there's more risky of rainstorms in October.
Umbria the opposite - March is still early for the spring colours, there will still be a bit of a wintry look, whereas in autumn you get the trees just starting to turn colour, the mellow colours of the nature and vineyards etc: Tuscany and Umbria in autumn are beautiful. Just a thought.
 
This is a bit lazy, and I won't mind if the post gets kicked off for lack of effort. I love Italy and have been multiple times over the last couple of decades. I have 12 days leave to take starting mid March, and I'm looking at a bunch of places I've not been. I am happy to spend the whole time in one place, or split between two. I've "done" Tuscany, Lazio, Emilia Romagna, Sicily, Puglia and Venice (in that I've spent some time in a cities and visited as day trips)

So far I am considering:
Trieste - possibly a little too cold for the time of year,
Genoa - Some opinions suggest it's a little "gritty" - but I love Naples so I'm not sure if that will put me off.
Sardinia - I know very little about it and not much I've read causes me to want to rush there (in the same way as I couldn't wait to go to Sicily).
Otherwise I would consider Umbria - I've only ever done day trips to Assisi, so never been to Perugia, Spello, Spoleto etc. and would consider any of them as a base.

I don't mind driving, but prefer public transport. I speak Italian (badly) so "non touristy" would not be too much of an issue.

The last time I asked for advice such as this, people suggested Turin and Bologna, both of which were amazing, and I'm torn between another larger city, and something like the smaller places that I feel are very livable (Siena, Lucca, Ferrara)

Any suggestions welcome.
Hi Tim,
We enjoyed our time on Sardinia back in 2015. Ask away if you have any questions. Doug

https://www.sloweurope.com/communit...1-oct-4-2015-three-days-in-rome-oct-4-6.1064/
 
I've been trying to put together a one week itinerary for Sardinia for a side trip this summer. My early impression is that the driving times to get around from site to site are not good and that there is no central type of attraction (nothing overwhelming in Cagliari or Olbia). It looks like a place to wander around in and to enjoy the little things, however, and an easy jump to Corsica. We spent a week+ in the Canary Islands this past summer with a very similar type of itinerary -- lots of scenery and outdoor things to do with not a lot of the traditional "castle, church, museum" type of day.

Some places of interest extracted from a trip report (apologies for not remembering which site I used to find the report):

Le Prigionette Park had gorgeous sea views
Grotto Nettuno
Phoenecian-Roman port called Tharros near the town of Cabras
Girara di Gesturi --some of the last remaining wild horses in all of Europe
u Gologone, a huge natural spring in the center of Sardinia.
Millenary Olive Trees
Lot's of sheep in Sardinia pecorino cheese abounds.
Tharros is a GEM!
 
I don't know Italy well enough to comment but have always been intrigued by Sardinia - but then I do like islands...
Hi Eleanor,
Here's a vicarious visit to Sardinia. Doug
 
Hi there!

It sounds like you have some exciting options for your trip! Here are a few suggestions based on your considerations:

Trieste: While it might be a bit chilly in March, Trieste offers a unique blend of Italian and Central European culture, stunning architecture, and beautiful coastal views. If you enjoy a quieter atmosphere, it could be worth the visit.

Genoa: If you love Naples, you might find Genoa's gritty charm appealing as well. The city has a rich maritime history and delicious local cuisine, especially seafood. Don't miss the historic center and the picturesque harbor.

Sardinia: Although it may not have the immediate allure of Sicily, Sardinia has breathtaking landscapes, beautiful beaches, and a unique culture. It’s worth considering if you're looking for a more laid-back experience.

Umbria: Since you've enjoyed day trips to Assisi, exploring Perugia, Spello, and Spoleto can offer a deeper dive into this region's charm. Umbria is known for its stunning countryside and excellent local wines.

Smaller Towns: If you're leaning towards smaller towns, places like Siena or Lucca are incredibly picturesque and provide a more relaxed pace. They are both very walkable and rich in history.

Since you prefer public transport, all these locations have good connections. Plus, being able to speak Italian will definitely enhance your interactions with locals!

No matter which place you choose, I believe you will have a wonderful time. Wish you a pleasant trip planning!
 

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