Italy - please share your favourite places..

[Luredbyapomegranate]

Long trip planned 😀 surprising ideas /rarely visited bits especially welcome

thank you!

Sorry - I took so long to write that and now see upthread that Puglia has more than got its deserved recommendation!

Camogli, on the coast near Genoa (not quite Cinque Terre, but nearby)

The villages around Bagni di Lucca and the Garfagnana valley up towards Barga and beyond

I second all this. I also love Naples, it's dirty, busy, chaotic and chocked full of history, art and attitude.
Me too

If you're planning a long trip I would tour Tuscany/Umbria and also take in Florence. Bologna is lovely too, but have flown in/out for a specific break there.

I got married in Ravello on the Amalfi Coast. Stunning place but it's all very touristy.

We also loved Lake Como, it was very peaceful even in high season; its not that populated compared to places like Lake Garda. Lake Garda is still fab for a family holiday though!

Cinque Terre, absolutely beautiful. But I imagine they would be rammed in peak season, so I'd go off peak if you can.

I recommend Sept. Still hot and it's quieter...

Malcesine or any of the wee resorts on lake garda. Busy and not a beach holiday, but beautiful 😍

Bologna. Time it for the chocolate festival (November) and you will not be disappointed. cioccoshow.it/en/

I also loved Lago di Como. Absolutely stunning in Autumn. Not as busy as you might expect.

Bologna, Imola, Loretto...... though its been ages since I've been.

Anyone have any recommendations for the Italian lakes? Which one(s) for a 5 night trip (no kids) - looking for the quietest/prettiest places - need some peace and quiet - happy to travel between places.

Lake Como is quieter of the three main ones but perhaps Maggiore more scenic. Just avoid the big resorts in high season. Lake Orta is smaller and relatively quiet.

Thanks @LIZS would you have any idea which of the Lake Como towns / villages to base yourself at? Don’t want huge expense or crowds more low key but easy to get about to other places…

Puglia - Ceglie Messapica & Locorotondo in particular. Absolutely beautiful, phenomenal food. Small towns, stay in a trullo near by with a pool.
Argegno - on the banks of Lake Como. Great as a base with less crowds than Como itself.
Rome - speaks for itself
Nimfa Gardens- not to stay but to visit. Absolutely stunning. The area of Latina is about an hour from Rome and is completely untouristy. Latina itself is very industrial but nearby you have Sabaudia for the beach and Sermoneta is a gorgeous historic village in the hills. Food is all fresh fish and just glorious.

I've just posted this but look at Argegno. It's got a main ferry drop so easy to get around but is quieter than other areas. Great restaurants and a very quiet funicular (Pigra) to get to the top of the hills for an incredible view. We stayed in hotel Belvedere which is right on the lake (rather than behind the road as most are) and had the most incredible stay though their restaurant wasn't the best for dinner).

Lake Garda (stunning, particularly the north side), Sardinia (beautiful place particularly early in the year), Verona (surprisingly very beautiful), Treviso (lovely canals and buildings).

Merano and the whole South Tyrol. Admittedly not very Italian, but part of Italy. Gorgeous scenery, lots of history, fabulous food.

Ok I can’t believe I am telling you this but…Ponza and Ventotene. Both islands of Rome/Naples. Shhhhhh

*off

@yoshiblue we got married in Ravello too! It is very touristy but it’s also beautiful. The view from the Belvedere at theVilla Cimbrone was a moment in my life I’ll never forget.

@Muppetshair Cadenabbia or Menaggio are small but have facilities and boat/bus links, Varenna or Bellagio if you feel flush.

Lecce, Gallipoli, Santa Maria al bagno, Santa Catarina in fact anywhere along that little stretch of coast.
I'm biased though that where all my family are from and I've been every summer since being tiny.

Venice is smelly in high season but beautiful.

Check out Clive Myrie's Italy on BBC2. I think it's all available on iplayer.

Another vote for the Amalfi coast. Above Amalfi is Ravello (most amazing views) & further up is Scala. Minori is along the coast & is great for restaurants & plenty to see. Further down the coast is Maiori - a larger resort with plenty of restaurants & a long beach. Inland there are some lovely walks through the lemon groves & even a castle (st Nicholas I think it's called). For fancy shops Salerno is further down.

The best way to travel along the coast is by the water. Very reasonably priced regular boats to each town/resort & so much more comfortable than the buses which get absolutely packed.

Enjoy, I love everything Italian-I married one!