If you were going to Italy for a weekend to mark a special occasion, where would you go?

[CultureAlienationBoredomandDespair]

It would be in April. Just me and DH, 2 or 3 nights as we’d be leaving the DC behind. Just trying to decide (and get excited for!) a trip away. I’ve always wanted to go and want to enjoy good food, wine, architecture, museums (but not galleries really), I’d love to visit pompeii but I’m not sure Naples would be the best place to stay at that time of year.

Venice. Less for the food, but it ticks every other box a million times.

Lake Como. Beautiful part of the world. Just sipping wine on your balcony overlooking the lake as the sun sets is sublime.

Food and wine, Bologna. Can't do better. Florence if you want more history. The Lakes are beautiful but weather will be variable, although that could be said for both Bologna and Florence too at that time of year.

Naples would be a loooong way down my list.

Venice
Bergamo
Bardolino
Lucca
Florence
Bologna

Stay in Sorrento, Pompeii and Naples are easy to reach on the Circumvesuviana train, and the weather should be better as it's unbearable hot in the summer.

But, I also love Venice, Rome or Florence.

Venice, Florence or Rome.

There is outstanding food in Venice but it does take a bit more effort to find it.

Florence all day

Venice is utterly stunning 🤩

Florence, beautiful, romantic, great restaurants, museums - the statue of David is amazing

Is weather important? North of Italy can be rainy and cold in April.

But Venice. Off the beaten track away from the main drag, it's wonderful.

Venice or Florence

Verona. Or in April, Sicily - Ortigia ticks your boxes, or Taormina for stunning views. I always recommend Stresa and the Hotel La Palma - we've been in April and it was lovely. Florence and Venice seem to be completely overrun these days. https://www.petitesuitcase.com/ortigia-syracuse-sicily/

I really like Naples too though.

Rome, Florence or Bologna. Try not to go at Easter though to minimise the hassle of 1000s of other tourists. They're all stunning to visit, all with fantastic food, but Rome has more jaw-drop moments when you turn a corner.

To chill out, lake como - can recommend a great rental overlooking the lake, literally lakeside! For culture Venice, Rome or Florence is better

I have loved everywhere I have been in Italy (all have been suggested).
What about staying in Rapallo then visiting Portofino and the Cinque Terre? It's quieter in April. Easy to access via train from Genoa.

Sicily might be a better option as further south, Taormina is lovely and drive down to Syracuse for architecture/ruins

Rome
Florence/Pisa
Bologna

Not as keen on Naples - you need to get the right parts as some areas are very run down

Venice ticks a lot of boxes - but I cried at the graffiti there

Off to Milan soon so will see..!

Rome

The Trastevere area of Rome. Stunning, great food and walking distance to all the interesting stuff.

Venice or Rome or Florence

Remember it's a Jubilee Year in 2025, so Rome will be very busy.

Rome. We went for my birthday and it was absolutely stunning

Lake Como or Bologna.

Stay in Treviso, which is a lovely town near both Venice and Padua, easily reached by train for day trips. It’s got canals and piazzas just like Venice, fantastic restaurants - it’s the centre of Prosecco production and the birthplace of Tiramisu. Not clogged up with tourists and Ryanair fly to Treviso airport ( but they call it Venice).