Where in Italy for 5 days without children?

[Fargoer]

We are planning a trip to Italy at the end of the summer. We won't have children with us. We have been to Tuscany and Umbria many times, with and without children. We have also been to Cinque Terre, Rome, Verona, Piemonte, Naples and Bergamo. Our favourite, other than Tuscany, was Bergamo.

Before children, we loved to walk for hours, eat beautiful food and explore towns on foot. DH eats everything, I am veggie (Tuscany is good for food for both of us). We would rather be outside than in museums.

We only have a few days. Where would you go? I thought of going somewhere new and visiting Eastern Sicily or possibly Puglia; DH wanted to go back to Siena/Lucca/Montepulciano but is happy with anything. We can hire a car but ideally I don't want to travel more than 1 hour to anywhere from where we base ourselves.

It's been so long since we travelled without children, I am a bit overwhelmed with the decision!

Thanks in advance.

I would avoid Sicily. There's a state of emergency there due to drought. https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/sicily-state-of-emergency-water-weather-b2504949.html

Basilicata.

I'd go here as I love it Loads of towns and villages to explore.

https://www.mrandmrssmith.com/luxury-hotels/torre-fiore-hotel-masseria/rooms?utmcontent=non-brand&gaddsource=1&gbraid=0AAAAADp6NlYiFgiY3e6UjHNNJ427Umsd&gclid=Cj0KCQjwncWvBhDARIsAEb2HW95UpEyLsG8UIkiYxvQPDEvolh3VLl6xTsBSl6ra7Cd3OA7PoEQAU0aAopXEALww_wcB

I would go to either lake como or lake Garda. Both only an hour away from airports (Milan or Verona) and no need to even hire a car if you don’t want. Just take ferry trips. Otherwise I think I would go to positano or somewhere else on the Amalfi coast.

Palermo plus Cefalu in Sicily?

I love lake Garda. Hotel Eden in Sermione was my favourite. We've used the boats and the buses which were cheap and quicker.

I think nearly everywhere in Italy would be too hot to walk for hours and hours unless you go to the Dolomites @Instantcustard . However eating and exploring towns is very much possible from Bologna. It’s not overrun but I prefer it in Spring. As I do Sicily. Everyone suggesting Florence and Venice are suggesting somewhere hot too. Plus city walking - not countryside.

@TizerorFizz Fair enough. For me Florence and Venice are too hot too! Ten years ago you barely saw a tourist in Bologna but now there are loads. That's not necessarily bad but I think there are a lot of mediocre restaurants too, unfortunately.

Michelin Guide has 70 restaurants listed in Bologna. We find the guide pretty reliable. Like everywhere, a bit of homework is needed.

For me, September would be a Scandinavian city! Or Ireland.

Another vote for Sardinia. The outdoorsy people I know who have been loved it.

By the end of the summer, do you mean late August? If so so many of these places will be packed. If you meant slightly later, I'd probably aim for the lakes.

Ravello on the Amalfi coast is stunning.

@ALunchbox september. Thanks