Weekend breaks to Italy - any suggestions ?

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stevewestern

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We might be going to Italy for a short weekend-like break early April, and having never been, I don't know where to head towards.

We don't want to do a massive amount - a little walking, lots of eating (the more rustic and honest the better) and being in Italy rather than seeing 'the sights' would make me happy.

So, tell me where to go.

Please.
 
stevewestern said:
We might be going to Italy for a short weekend-like break early April, and having never been, I don't know where to head towards.

We don't want to do a massive amount - a little walking, lots of eating (the more rustic and honest the better) and being in Italy rather than seeing 'the sights' would make me happy.

So, tell me where to go.

Please.
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My favourite is Florence

'Capital' of Tusvany

Pure class and full of history. I have never flown there but have been by train and car.

Nice architecture and rcvellent food. Easy to get around.

Long weekend destination though.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florence
 
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Florence is my favourite too - generally seem to fly to Pisa, then drive, but I guess there's probably trains available. The area around Florence is lovely too, gently rolling hills and fields (a lot like the nice bits of the Chilterns, but with Italian villages and the odd ancient city dotted around).
 
Bergamo near Milan. In particular the old city. Not as touristy as places. One of the best restaurants ever at the top of the old city. 1.50 Euros gets you a 24 hour bus ticket, saves walking from the new city up the hill to the old city. I've been to many places in Italy, Bergamo is my favourite.

Edit to add: and ticks the boxes in your question
 
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ancient_mariner said:
Florence is my favourite too - generally seem to fly to Pisa, then drive, but I guess there's probably trains available. The area around Florence is lovely too, gently rolling hills and fields (a lot like the nice bits of the Chilterns, but with Italian villages and the odd ancient city dotted around).
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For OP

Just checked with a friend, he and SWMBO fly to Pisa then bus to Florence for long weekends.

He texted this link for the bus.

http://www.terravision.eu/airport_transfer/bus-pisa-airport-florencebus/

They sometimes get the train back to Pisa to have some food then bus to airport.

Steve
 
Verona and lake Garda are also nice ,Verona has a large coliseum and Romeo and juliets garden plus a lovely shopping area .
 
Verona, if you can get Opera tickets :) Direct flights too.
Can also easily get a train to Vicenza for architecture fix.
Pisciera del Garda and Venice also reachable by train, but probably too ambitious to fit all this into a weekend!
 
the black fox said:
Verona and lake Garda are also nice ,Verona has a large coliseum and Romeo and juliets garden plus a lovely shopping area .
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kendo1 said:
I'd second Verona.
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Thirded. Best rabbit risotto I've ever eaten. Amphitheater with occasional shows, gigs etc, Romeo and Juliette, good exhibition spaces with art/photography exhibitions, old tower (with lift) to go up for great views, river and old bridges and if you get bored, hire a car and go around lake Garda 30 mins away.

Fly to Frankfurt, take the train, you'll thank me. Beautiful train journey through the Alps, past lakes, just stunning.
 
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Thank you everyone - sorry for the slow and rather rushed reply, but I've just got home after a long week working away to a house full of family and inlaws...
I'll do some looking into your suggestions as soon as I can, but please feel free to keep adding ideas..
 
There is no world for me outside the walls of Verona, except purgatory, torture, and hell itself. So to be banished from Verona is like being banished from the world, and being banished from the world is death.
Shakespere: Romeo and Juliette Act 3 Scene 3 :D
 
simeone on the bottom of lake garda is nice for a walk about if you do choose verona
 
Byker28i said:
Thirded. Best rabbit risotto I've ever eaten. Amphitheater with occasional shows, gigs etc, Romeo and Juliette, good exhibition spaces with art/photography exhibitions, old tower (with lift) to go up for great views, river and old bridges and if you get bored, hire a car and go around lake Garda 30 mins away.

Fly to Frankfurt, take the train, you'll thank me. Beautiful train journey through the Alps, past lakes, just stunning.
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Have ti agree - one of my favourire routes. Clean, comfy, cheap compared to UK, etc

http://www.seat61.com
 
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stevewestern said:
Yup. It'll be on another list but not for this time - not sure I can afford a coffee in Rome...
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Rome really isn't that bad (well, it wasn't a few years ago) and is relatively cheap and relaxed compared to the area around Naples and Sorrento.
 
Rome or Florence for me both easy to get around and full of interest. Venice is also great, 5 visits so far including 5 days for the Carnival and still learning but would still default to the first two.
 
stevewestern said:
Yup. It'll be on another list but not for this time - not sure I can afford a coffee in Rome...
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If you avoid touristy areas it can be very affordable.
 
ancient_mariner said:
Florence is my favourite too - generally seem to fly to Pisa, then drive, but I guess there's probably trains available. The area around Florence is lovely too, gently rolling hills and fields (a lot like the nice bits of the Chilterns, but with Italian villages and the odd ancient city dotted around).
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There is an airport at Florence and direct flights from the UK. More choice to Pisa though.

For a real relaxed time Sperlonga is fantastic. A two hour train ride from Rome so too far for the weekend
 
Left field - Syracusa in Sicily, fly to Catania and it's a short drive south. Lovely place and lots to see.

Venice is great if you stay off the tourist paths - prices drop the further away you are from Rialto and San Marco

Verona is beautiful

Rome is awesome

I do fancy going to Bergamo, Florence, Puglia and Bari, and Siena. It's just an amazing country isn't it?
 
welshwizard645 said:
Venice is great if you stay off the tourist paths - prices drop the further away you are from Rialto and San Marco
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Last year we stayed on the Lido, cheap, interesting place to walk around, 10 min boat transfer to the main island. Before that just north of the Jewish Ghetto. It's easy to get around either by waterbus or walking so hotels anywhere are good.
 
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welshwizard645 said:
I do fancy going to Bergamo, Florence, Puglia and Bari, and Siena. It's just an amazing country isn't it?
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I shot a wedding in Bari a few years ago. Nice enough town (especially the old bit) but not enough to keep one entertained for a whole day. The area round it is stunning though and the sea food was out of this world
 
Yet more thanks for all the replies.
It looks like Florence is favourite, as a few discreet questions have revealed that Mrs W has it on the top of her list.
Now, which lens to sell to pay for the trip - it is a silver wedding anniversary after all..!
 
Hint, when asked if there for anything special, say it's your silver wedding anniversary. Free drinks, deserts :D
 
Byker28i said:
Hint, when asked if there for anything special, say it's your silver wedding anniversary. Free drinks, deserts :D
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Hey, I've been using that trick for many years - the secret to success is looking like its been a long and tough time, and I find that comes naturally !
 
For affordable coffee- just have an espresso. Stand at the bar and they only cost 1 Euro.
 
kendo1 said:
For affordable coffee- just have an espresso. Stand at the bar and they only cost 1 Euro.
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When you have been married as long as me you'll know that standing at the bar is nothing more than a faded memory..

Seriously, are they still a euro - they cost that in Spain about 8 years ago..
 
stevewestern said:
When you have been married as long as me you'll know that standing at the bar is nothing more than a faded memory..

Seriously, are they still a euro - they cost that in Spain about 8 years ago..
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They were last year, hopefully still will be later this year.
 
A friend in the travel business has come up with this place in Florence, and while he hasn't been, he has several friends also in the business who have and who rate it highly -

http://www.hotelathenaeum.com/?gcli...U4J4YiSdmDTxcPMVNbCbhWcEebL7-pKambxoCDg7w_wcB

Sadly, we won't be going in April as eldest daughter has her IB exams looming and I wanted it to be a family trip, so we will go after they finish, but it might be of interest to anyone else who may be planning a trip.
Why she didn't say that she wouldn't be coming when I asked is another matter....
 
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The train is good too. Station is in Pisa airport and cost €14 each a couple of years ago (might have gone up since then).
Takes around a hour and skirts the Tuscan hills. Some lovely views and they don't rush being a stopper.
 
Florence, so pretty, and almost stuck in time.

I'd go back in a heartbeat.

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