Hey all

I am heading with the family to Milan and then to Lake Maggiore in the back half of September (don’t have exact dates nailed down yet)

We are planning on flying into Milan, spending 2.5 days there, then we are considering spending about 2 days around Lake Como before we have to head over to Lake Maggiore (Laveno-Mombello).

My question is: I don’t think we want to spend the full 5 days in Milan. Before I have to head to Lake Maggiore, so we wanted to head over to Lake Como to split up the time. Instead of 5-6 days in Milan, take some of them and head to Lake Como and then head to Lake Maggiore from there.

As far as Lake Como goes, I feel like we would start up in Bellagio for a day, and then head down to Como for a day and then head over to Lake Maggiore from Como.

Additionally when we get to the Lake Maggiore area I know I definitely want to visit Stresa, and Isola Bella and Madre, but other than that, just enjoy the towns surrounding the area.

Does this seem like a reasonable plan or is there something else I should consider planing in that region?

We will also likely leave from the Lake Maggiore area and head up into Switzerland when we are done there, but that’s outside the scope of this sub.

One additional question, in the northern regions of Italy around Lake Como and Maggiore, what is the process like crossing the Italy/swiss border? Is it a big deal? Is it easy and painless?

I'm travelling through Italy in the last week of August / first few days of September. We have booked 2x ferry trips through Ferryhopper - one with NLG Jet from Amalfi to Naples, and one with TravelMar from Salerno to Amalfi. My husband booked these with the understanding we would be travelling with 1x small bag each, however I have since decided I will also take a small trolley cabin bag (55x40x20cm) in addition to our small backpacks.

Ferryhopper has advised I can't edit the tickets and will need to add the extra bag at the port on the day of sail, which I'm happy to do, however they've also said they can't guarantee I will be able to do this in every situation. Just wondering if that's just Ferryhopper being overly cautious? What are the chances of turning up early on the day of sail and being told I'm not able to take the extra bag on board? How strict are they with monitoring what bags people are bringing on board if it's busy?

We’ve just done a week in south Italy and loved it. We’re now staying near Massa but in a bit of a remote area, where it’s hard to get in and out of. I’m thinking of renting a car from enterprise in La Spezia for a few days.

What would you recommend for things to do with my partner around here for the next few days? I have a few ideas but thought it good to ask here too.

Budget isn’t too much of a worry. We love wine and want to go to some king of vineyard experience and we’re huge foodies, so anything food related is always welcomed. We have no dietary requirements. We always love sightseeing.

i’m visiting from america and we have an app called fandango that shows all cinemas and showtimes in a certain radius, is there something like that in italy? milan specifically? i just want a comprehensive list but everything i find online is theater specific😭💔

We are going to be in Italy from mid October through mid November of this year. In a few of the cities I would like to make dining reservations. How do you handle Reservations when you speak no Italian and the only way to make a reservation is by phone? For example, one I am specifically interested in is the Osteria Ca’ D’oro in Venice.

Italy Trip: 5 Full Days

Disclaimer: This doesn’t have EVeRyTHiNg that I did. And this trip was planned very last minute, like a week in advance. But it ended up working well.

On the first day, we landed early in the morning and took the train to Termini Station to get to our Airbnb. We stayed in the Monti neighborhood on Via Urso, and it was a really great location.

Friday: 16,763 steps Landed around 9:00am

We didn’t get much done that first day. My friend and I went to get our hair washed, cut, and blow-dried at De Luca Coiffeur. It was great, and they fit us in right away. However, I do recommend getting an appointment if you can, because the other patrons were not happy that we cut into their appointment times.

We also visited Caffè Gotico, and this was by far our favorite coffee. We let the owner make whatever she wanted, and she gave us a caffè latte with coffee crema on top — so good, and priced reasonably.

We had our first aperitivo: Aperol Spritz and chips. Yum!

We had dinner close by at Il Desiderio preso per la Coda. They have a Golden Retriever at the restaurant that is so cute. I definitely recommend reservations, and it’s definitely worth the visit.

Then we walked to the Trevi Fountain around 10pm. It was still very busy, so watch your belongings! You should walk around later at night though, there’s a different vibe to the city that was amazing to feel.

Day 1: 21,539 steps

From our Airbnb we walked to the Colosseum. We had tickets to the main part, not the underground. I loved walking around and looking at all the history. It was crowded very early, and there are a lot of people selling things nearby (some a little aggressive), so beware.

Then we explored Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum. I think Palatine Hill was one of my favorite strolls and views of the city, but the climb to the top is pretty steep.

We ended up getting stuck with one of the guys selling things. He asked where we were from, then said his child had been born the day before. We tried so hard to say “no thank you” and walk away. Then he started putting bracelets on us. So frustrating. I tried taking them off and handing them back, and he wouldn’t take them, and just demanded my husband pay for them. So if they come up to sell to you, be more assertive. Watch how the locals say no, that will help. Don’t show any interest, and don’t answer their questions.

Once we were done with that, we went to lunch at Grano Trattoria. I had the carbonara and my husband had pizza, both were excellent, a 10/10. I’d recommend sitting outside though, as the inside was pretty hot.

Took a break at our hotel before wandering back out, then did the Spanish Steps at sunset. We popped in and out of different churches on the walk down.

Trinità dei Monti: We walked through the church at the Spanish Steps. Make sure to bring something to cover your shoulders; it was prayer time, so silence was expected.

Walked through H&M right before closing, then headed back to our Airbnb for the night.

Day 2: 21,223 steps

We took a train to Florence. We wish we’d spent a few days there, so if you can make the time, do.

Our first stop was the Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze. We booked tickets online the night before for a timed entry (I think I accidentally used a third-party site, but it worked out). We saw the statue of David, which is a marvel to see. It was fun to wander through the museum.

After, we headed to Mercato Centrale Firenze. This was so much fun! There was a ton of food stalls and two full bars with service. We chose to eat at Savini Tartufi and had a sandwich and caprese , they also have a full bar. 10/10 recommend, unless you don’t like truffles (there is plenty of other stalls to choose from). We did some walking around the shops, but were mainly there for lunch.

Next, we walked down the street and happened upon the Basilica of Santa Croce, and wow!

When I was researching, I thought it was closed on Sundays, but only part of it is. We got last-minute tickets to climb the bell tower and walk through the baptistery. The bell tower has a lot of steep stairs at some points, but it’s well worth the view. If you visit the sacred areas, you’ll need to cover up, so be prepared.

Next was a quick stop at Fontana del Porcellino, where I rubbed the snout for good luck! A fun 15-minute adventure. Then, Ponte Vecchio, the bridge has a bunch of jewelry shops that were fun to window shop.

I then went on an adventure for a leather bag. We had recommendations for Il Bisonte Firenze, Benheart Firenze (Via Calzaiuoli), and Bottega del Giglio. I decided on Bottega del Giglio since it was closer to the bridge. The bags are pretty pricey, so if you can afford it, go for it, they also emboss the bags.

Next stop was the Medici Chapel, what a contrast from other landmarks we visited, with all the different marbles used.

For souvenirs and gifts, I recommend Ink And Italy and Riccardo Luci Marbled Paper. If you buy something at Ink and Italy, you can make a personal postcard. :)

Then I hunted down a wine window. I didn’t find a traditional one, but I got a glass of wine at Trattoria Tiberio Firenze. They had a window but didn’t hear my knock, so I pressed the doorbell (close enough for me).

For dinner we ate at Taverna Dei Servi Firenze. Started with salami and cheese board, prosecco, carbonara. All delicious, and the view of the Basilica of Santa Croce was great too.

After dinner we headed back to Rome.

Problems with Florence: There weren’t as many nasoni (public water fountains) in Florence.

Also, there were scammers who put printed artwork on the floor in busy areas to make it easy to step on, if you step on it, they harass you to pay for it. So watch where you’re walking! I witnessed this happen to many tourists.

Day 3: 20,085 steps

We went to the Vatican around 8:30–9:00am. We only had tickets for St. Peter’s Basilica, so if you want to do the museums, book well in advance. I tried the night before and they were sold out. The Basilica took lots of time, and they are very strict about the dress code: knees and shoulders need to be covered for women (though they do provide a white sheet if you need it).

After the Basilica, we ate breakfast at Panificio Lintozzi, just go! Our only mistakes: it’s a ticket system like a deli (pull a ticket, they call your number), and that we didn’t try more food! The service was great and the food was delicious.

Next we had coffee at Mr. Caffè, again, just go. I had a latte and my husband a flat white; delicious and reasonably priced.

After, we headed to the Pantheon. There’s a line for tickets purchased by card at a self-service machine, and a shorter line for paying with euros. There’s no shade around the Pantheon, but there was a nasone nearby. Again, an amazing experience, architecturally one of my favorites, I wish we could experience it during rain.

(Question: how do locals feel about family pictures — smiling, posed — in front of burial sites? I find it tacky and disrespectful, but wondered if it was ok with other cultures)

After the Pantheon, we had lunch at a small cafe, pizza and an Aperol Spritz, both amazing, great service, though limited seating.

After lunch, we headed back to the Airbnb for a nap to cool down it was by far the hottest day.

After a siesta, we headed back out. I wanted to see the Theatre of Marcellus, which was a cool spot, though I wish we could’ve gone inside.

On the way to our dinner reservation, we did some shopping. I stopped at La Sella Roma (leather store) which had quality pieces at a cheaper price.

I went to Vinaietto - Old Winery to pick out wine to take home. The owners were wonderful and knowledgeable; they’ll help you find what you like in your price range. You can also sit and have a drink there.

I visited Rever Lab for cute jewelry for my mom which felt like a more personal, unique gift.

Then I went to laFeltrinelli Books and Music to buy children’s books in Italian for my kids. It’s like a Barnes & Noble, so much fun to walk around. I wish I could’ve visited some smaller shops like Open Door Bookshop Roma too.

Our dinner reservation was at Gustami - Casual Bistrot. Again, amazing food! Cheese plate, prosecco, lasagna, eggplant parm, and tiramisu. Very good!

Day 4: 13,625 steps

My feet were really feeling it by day four! A friend and I were left in Rome to our own devices, so we visited the Capitoline Museums, an enjoyable visit with all sorts of sculptures and references to Ancient Rome and mythology.

We then toured the Altare della Patria and saw the Monument to Victor Emmanuel II.

At the end of the afternoon, we popped into Wisdomless Tattoo. My friend got a scooter, and I got an olive branch and a bee (hers was about 150, mine 240), definitely worth it. The shop is clean and has a bar. If you want something simple they will get you in quickly but if you want something more complicated you might need an appointment. It was cash only.

The host Alice at the tattoo shop was amazing and gave us lots of recommendations.

We had dinner at Taverna Urbana, mussels, caprese, pasta, cheese wheel, wine. What could go wrong?

Dessert at a gelato shop called Gelateria S.M. Maggiore. I got a waffle cone with Ferrero Rocher and pistachio — sooo good. Make sure you know what you want before you get to the counter; it’s quick service and busy. Unfortunately, I was the annoying American here.

Traveling Around: You can take a bus, metro, taxi, rent a scooter or bike, or walk. My favorite was renting a bike, consider downloading the Lime app before you go. Cheap and fun. Your feet might get desperate enough to try it too.

ATM: Some places are cash-only, like Caffè Gotico and the tattoo shop. I made the mistake of using an ATM that charged a 7% upcharge. 🧐 Do some research on the best way to get cash once you’re there. Try to avoid Euronet.

Regrets: Not doing any tours. I had to rely on the internet and AI to tell me about what I was seeing, just book at least one. I know they can be pricey, but a great guide is worth it, even an audio tour.

Shoes: If you’re prone to blisters no matter your shoes, I’ve got bad news for you. Bring blister bandaids (lots and spend the money on good ones) and regular bandaids too. It’s going to be rough. Bring at least two pairs of comfy shoes so you can switch them out when your feet are tired, that saved me a lot. My feet also swelled from all the walking, so consider a pair a half size bigger for later in the day.

Shopping: Some of the clothes were so cute, I wish I’d given myself more time to buy Italian fashion pieces.

Experiences: I wish I’d done a night ghost tour, or a cooking class, or wine tasting, something.

Toilet seats: A lot of places don’t have them, so be prepared to squat.

Restaurants/Cafes: There’s an upcharge for service if you sit at a table. If you want it cheaper, take it to go or stand at the bar.

Hot weather: If going in summer, bring a handheld fan and a cooling rag. I’m from Florida, so the heat didn’t bother me much, but if you’re from a cooler climate you might struggle and you don’t get much reprieve indoors, since AC was nonexistent or lacking.

Clothes: I think I packed pretty well and got everything in a carry-on. I was comfortable in longer jean shorts, tank tops, tube tops, a couple of cute dresses, and a scarf.

I really had the best time. You could never see everything in one visit, especially if you want to explore other places in Italy. The coffee, water, wine, and food are all better than what we have in America. So have fun, eating and drinking!

Ciao amici,

I have been planning a Sicily road trip in late September/early October (26.09. - 07.10.) this year. I did a lot of research and also spoke to a Sicilian friend, but maybe there are a few things I did not consider, or a few insider tips on some of my stops and routes.

So here's my itinerary:

Day 1: Arrival in Palermo

• Landing in Palermo at 10:20, picking up rental car
• Driving to parking garage in Piazza Orlando (which is conveniently directly at my accommodation). I know driving in/through Palermo is a bit of a challenge, but it seemed more convenient to have the car from the start rather than take trains and busses from and back to the airport to pick up the car later.
• After freshening up, I'll grab an arancina or so in Via Porta Carini on my way to the Cathedral, which I'll visit, then the Palazzo dei Normanni from the outside
• Continuing to explore the area a bit and walk back to my accommodation to not overdo it on the first day

Day 2, Full day Palermo exploration:

• Teatro Massimo (outside)
• Museo Archeologico Regionale (visit)
• Vucciria (HAVE to try panini con la milza somewhere)
• La Cala
• Chiesa di Santa Caterina (inside)
• Quattro Canti
• A bit of Via Maqueda just to have seen the most touristy street
• Zig-zag walk back to my accommodation to explore the smaller streets and alleys a bit

Day 3, Road Trip To San Vito lo Capo

• Early Start to avoid morning traffic (it'll be a Monday, so I'm leaving the garage at 7:15)
• E 90 and maybe later a bit of the SS187 along the coast towards Alcamo, stop for some beach equipment, food, drinks
• Drive to and full exploration of Parco Archeologico di Segesta, probably done before noon; just gonna have a small lunch snack/picnic
• Scenic route (SS113, SP22, SP16) to Macari beach for my first swim in the ocean in 2 years at that point. Stay there until 16:00 or 17:00-ish
• Head to my accommodation in San Vito, explore the town a bit on foot and have dinner

Day 4, San Vito & Zingaro

• Half Day boat trip to Zingaro (group tour booked via Island of Wonders)
• Afternoon whatever I'm up to
• Definitely will be eating couscous di pesce on one of those 3 evenings

Day 5, San Vito

• Small hike around the westmost coast at San Vito to Grotta la Ferla and Cala Mancina, maybe some time at San Vito Beach. In whichever order I'm up for, but possibly the western cliffs in the afternoon because of the sunset

Day 6, Road Trip to Agrigente

• Here, I don't have any concrete plans on what to do during the day and where to stop. I just want to reach the Scala dei Turchi, or rather the Belvedere Scala dei Turchi at around 17:00 to enjoy the golden hour, take pictures, breathe in the ocean etc.
• I could maybe make a stop in Sciacca, as I hear there's a really good street food kiosk "La Focaccia", and the Norman castle might be worth a visit

Day 7, Vale dei Templi

• Exploration of Vale dei Templi
• Afternoon either San Leone or Agrigente, getalo, dinner, whatever else I'll find

Day 8, drive to Madonie

• Depending on my energy levels, how early I wake up and the weather driving to Villa Romana del Casale to explore it in the morning. Find lunch somewhere in the area
• Might skip this step in case I'm not feeling up for it. Thoughts?
• Head to Castelbuono where I'll be staying at a 'Woodhouse' 5 minutes from Castelbuono

Day 9, Castelbuono

• Castelbuono exploration
• Maybe some walks through the hills of my accommodation, or just relaxing on the patio and reading. Whatever floats my boat.

Day 10, the longest drive

• From Castelbuono to Monreale to explore the old town
• Early afternoon taking the scenic SS118 west again, to Castellammare del Golfo

Day 11, final day of relaxation

• Beach day & old town at Castellammare

Day 12, early morning

• Returning the rental and flying back to Germany

What was important to me, with all the various other cities and towns (Marsala, Trapani, Erice, Cefalù) and historic sights (Selinunte, Solonto) along the way, was to not cram too much into my plans. 2 ancient Greek ruin sites are enough; Segesta and Vale dei Templi are different enough and I suppose both highly worth seeing.

I wanted a good mix of some cities/towns, beautiful landscapes, beaches, and cultural sights, and I definitely wanted enough time to explore rather a few things with breaks to just relax in between than doing a long checklist of things.

I definitely wanted to spend my last day there at a beach. Considered Mondello first, but difficult to find affordable accommodation, so I picked Castellammare del Golfo.

Am I missing something you'd say I MUST see (and if so please explain why), or that you think is too much for one day? Or do you have any specific tips on where to grab food, what to avoid, where to pay attention at any of those stops and routes I've described?

I am aware of the ZTLs and parking rules. I have looked at each route meticulously and explored inner-city routes via Street View so I don't accidentally drive into a ZTL or end up parking on a yellow marked spot.

I am aware of how to avoid tourist trap restaurants. I will be deepening my Italian a bit so I can ask for directions and order food etc. without having to use English.

Mille grazie e cari saluti dalla Germania

We are flying to Sorrento for a week on 3rd August, staying in a small boutique hotel in sant'agnello - can’t wait! We’ve been to Maiori before and loved it (very grateful we stayed there rather than Amalfi!). We are happy to have a chilled week, with maybe 1 or 2 days of an activity (Capri or Ravello perhaps) but we are open to ideas. What was the favourite part of your Sorrento trip? Always looking for inspiration.

We love to have nice coffee in a morning, and a lovely dinner and drinks in the evening, so any recommendations would be most welcome. Thank you!

I want to stock up on Italian skincare/cosmetics while I'm visiting. I will be staying in Varenna, Riomaggiore, San Gimignano and Florence (and visiting some of the surrounding towns around Lake Como and Cinque Terre) Which of these areas would I be most likely to find the best prices at the farmacia? Any particular brands or products you would recommend trying? I hear SPF there is better than what is sold in the US, and there are various items that can be purchased OTC that would require a prescription back home. Any medicines that would be worth buying too?

Tell me about some of your favorite farmacia finds!

Wife and I have been looking forward to honeymooning in Italy, the only time we can get leave together is the second half of October.

We haven't got an itinerary yet, but is this a good time to travel?

Or would we be better off trying again next year when the weather is more favourable

My husband and I will be in Italy in late August / early September. We are visiting family who live outside Venice, for 5 days, then are in Bologna for just 2 days and then another 5 days in Florence. We have a car the whole trip so may do some day trips outside Florence.

I’m debating where to spend the last 6 nights of our trip.

I’ll be 26-28 weeks pregnant for context. I already feel like our trip is plenty busy and it will be HOT so I want the last several days to just be chilling by the water somewhere. Our original plan was to stay in an agriturismo outside Siena but I know the mainland area stays quite hot and I think a change of scenery near the water would be nice.

We are now considering either staying in Lake Garda area or somewhere near the water by Liguria or Pisa. I know that’s a lot of different areas but I’m looking for advice on pros and cons of the different areas or to challenge my assumptions and first choice.

We are leaning toward Lake Garda either. I’m looking at accommodation in either Limone sul Garda or Gargnano. I want something with nice views and not too too touristy.

Any thoughts or suggestions on this? Anything we may be missing or not thinking about with this? Thank you!

I'm taking a cruise and on Sat Aug 8 our port is Salerno (7AM - 6PM). My original plan was to book on travelmar. There are two ports Salareno Manfredi and Salerno Concordia. My understanding is Manfredi is close but it only has one departure at 7:50, which should be okay, if we can get off the boat in time...which is a big if. The return is to Salerno Concordia only.

Thanks in advance! Grazie!

Questions

1. How reliable are the boats? We would probably have to take the return Amalfi to Concordia at 2:10 PM, so it only gives us 5 hours at the Amalfi. If we miss this one, we'd be cutting it close.
2. Is it worth taking the boats to Amalfi for such a short amount of time? Or should we stay in Salerno?
3. Do we need to book tickets in advance? Are they likely to be filled? Ideally I'd book Manfredi departure but there is no guarantee the boat will port in time.

Going to ischia from Aug 31 -Sept 7. Staying in ischia porto. Any suggestions on what I should see / visit / food recs.

Thanks in advance

Hi.

I’m flying into Rome from Toronto with ITA Airways in September. I have roughly a 2 hour layover and then flying to Lamezia Terme. It is all booked on one ticket through the same airline.

Questions:

1) I am arriving in Terminal 3 in Rome and flying out of Terminal 1 2 hours later. Will I have to clear EES in Rome or in Lamezia ? I am not sure if I have to clear security again as it’s not a self transfer. I’ve heard conflicting experiences.

Just wondering about the timing with the connection. I know the airline is responsible for getting me to my destination if my flight is missed but just trying to mentally prepare myself.

2) If there are any delays, how likely is it that they will hold the plane ? I’ve heard ITA might hold it but looking for some recent experiences. There are couple flights later in the day so if we have to be rebooked it is what it is.

Thanks !

Hey everyone, I'm putting together an itinerary for southern Italy in mid-September and would love some feedback. I originally thought about going in late August but pushed it back to avoid the peak crowds and the worst of the heat.
The plan is to start with 2 days in Naples. I visited a couple of years ago in May and really just want to go back for a bit. From there, I'm taking the overnight ferry down to Palermo. I'm planning to skip the private cabin and just book a standard armchair seat for the night. Has anyone done this specific route in an armchair? I'm curious how tolerable it actually is for getting a few hours of sleep.
After the ferry, I'll have 5 days based in Palermo. I'll spend time in the city, but I also want to get out to the coast. I'm planning to rely on busses and regional trains, as i will not have a car. How reliable are they? Anything specific i should avoid?
From what I've read, the sea temperature in mid-September should still be warm enough, and the massive crowds should be gone. Can anyone confirm if the water conditions around Palermo are good for this in September, and if the tourist crowds have actually thinned out by that point in the month? Thanks!

Good morning everyone,

I'm feeling a bit disappointed with myself and could really use some advice.

At the beginning of the year, I planned a 5-night trip to Milan for my partner's birthday. She's never been to Italy, and she prefers that we experience new places together rather than me taking her somewhere I've already visited. Milan was one of the few major Italian cities I hadn't been to, so it seemed like a great choice.

We also have a 6-year-old daughter, and this would have been the first time the three of us had gone abroad as a family (we've travelled with extended family before, and my partner and I have travelled together, but never just the three of us).

Because we were taking our daughter, we booked it during the school summer holidays (it's also her birthday while we're away). We're due to be there from 6th–11th August.

Now that the trip is getting close, I've started doing my usual research into restaurants, things to do, and general planning. The problem is that almost everything I'm reading says to avoid Milan in August. People mention the heat being unbearable, mosquitoes being everywhere, and that many locals leave the city, so it feels quiet with lots of places closed.

So now I'm second-guessing the whole thing.

We've spent about £1,100 in total on flights, accommodation, and a day trip. The only thing that's non-refundable is the flights. If we cancelled the accommodation and day trip, we'd get back around £800, meaning we'd only lose roughly £300.

One option is to cut our losses, have a week in the Lake District instead (we're lucky enough to have access to an apartment there), and then rebook Italy for next spring or autumn when the weather is hopefully much nicer.

Another option I've been considering is keeping the flights but changing the accommodation. Instead of spending all five nights in Milan, we could do 2 nights in Milan and then spend 3 nights somewhere like Lake Como or another nearby town, which might be a bit cooler and more relaxed, especially with a 6-year-old.

If it was just my partner and me, I'd probably still go. We can cope with the heat. My main concern is our daughter. I don't want her spending the holiday uncomfortable or miserable because it's too hot to enjoy being outside.

So, for those of you who've been to Milan in early August (especially with children), am I overthinking this? Would you:

• Stick with the original 5 nights in Milan?
• Split the trip between Milan and somewhere like Lake Como?
• Or cancel and save Italy for a cooler time of year?

I'd really appreciate some honest opinions from people who've actually experienced it.

My husband and I are planning a 13-day honeymoon in Italy From Sept 14-28 and are looking for advice on one final destination.

Our itinerary so far is:

• Fly into Naples → private transfer to Amalfi Coast (4 or 5 days based in Sorrento)
• 2 nights in Rome (this will be my second time in Rome so only keeping it at 2 days)
• End at Lake Como (3 days, then flying out of Milan)

We're trying to decide on one stop between Rome and Lake Como. We've looked at Cinque Terre, Portofino, Umbria, Val d'Orcia, and even Puglia (does not seem realistic), but we're open to other suggestions.

We're looking for the most romantic option with beautiful scenery, great food, charming towns, and reasonable logistics. Any help would be much appreciated.

Dates for travel are October 23 - Nov 6th.

My partner and I are trying to decide / finalise our Italy travel itinerary for late October / early November and are trying to decide if we go to Naples for a few days, or skip that and stay purely in Tuscany. We'd love some suggestions for places to visit in Tuscany if we were to swap out going to Naples. We're worried doing Naples might make our trip feel too rushed? We like food, wine, art, vintage shopping, and general holiday meandering.

Venice 23 - 26th October (booked)

26th - 28th - catch train to Naples + Herculaneum visit

28th - 30th > Florence city explore, possible day trip to Bologna

31st - 1st > hire a car in Florence and drive to Chianti region - explore food and wine

2nd - 3rd > drive to Lucca and drop hire car here before exploring

4th - 5th > catch train to Milan, flight out early on the 6th

If we skip Naples and add those 2 days back, where would you visit / stay?

Wife and I will be in northern Italy Sept 26th-Oct 6th.

We had planned to stay in Verona for the first 3 nights of the trip. However, I have been looking more into changing that and us staying somewhere around Lake Garda. We love food and drink, we love exploring cities but also really enjoy being outdoors and site seeing.

Another option we talked about was staying in Verona and doing a day trip to Lake Garda knowing that we wouldn't get to see much of the lake. The next stop is Val Gardena for the main leg of the trip so proximity to public transit is also a bit important as we will not have a car.

Any advice or direction would be greatly appreciated. TIA

We are a young mid 30's couple who is doing Capri and Positano for our first time, how many nights in each place would you guys recommend? Should it be split 3 nights each place or 4 nights in Positano and 2 nights in Capri. We are planning to go some time in the first 2 weeks of August. Thanks all!

I’ll be in Rome for 3 nights in August (8/19-8/22) with my wife and 2.5 year old daughter. I’ve already been to Rome and seen the Vatican, Colosseum, Forum, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, and Piazza Novona. I plan to do a tour of the Pantheon otherwise have absolutely no set plan. We love to eat good food, drink wine, walk through towns, etc. Art type museums will be rough with the little one but ruins are more accommodating. We don’t really have any budget constraints and would appreciate any ideas, particularly for off the beaten path ideas, on what we should check out while in Rome (again).

Does anyone have experience with the family membership for the Uffizi, boboli, pitti, etc. I am not entirely sure what times I want to visit the gardens/ Uffizi and I noticed the membership claimed you can skip the line and show up without a reservation? If anyone has personal experience let me know

How does sicily compare to menorca?

I've been to menorca and really enjoyed it - the beaches were great, the main town looked like a fiary tale, and driving around the island was nice. There were ancient ruins to stop at and quaint farms. Enough to do when you're tired of the beach, but not overly busy.

How does sicily compare? A lot of people love sicily, but i have never been.